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i3V    b  «j  i 

'      .  JN  4     J.  o< 

J  X 

Neely, 

Thomas 

B. 

1841 

-1925. 

Young 

workers 

in 

the 

church, 

or      The    trciinincf   and. 

YOUNG    WORKERS 


IN  THE  CHURCH; 

OR, 

The  Training  and  Organization  of  Young  People 
for  Christian  Activity, 


BY  REV.  T.  B^NEELY,  A.M. 


WITH    AN    INTRODUCTION 
BY  BISHOP  MATTHEW  SIMPSON,  D.D.,  LL.D. 


NEW  YORK: 
PHILLIPS      &      HUNT 

CINCINNATI: 
WALDEN     &     S  T  O  W  E . 

l83l. 


Copyright,  1S81,  by 
PHILLIPS    &    HUNT, 

New  York. 


To  my  Friend, 

MR.     CHARLES     SCOTT, 


OF   PHILADELPHIA. 


AN    ACTIVE    WORKER    IN    RELIGIOUS,   EDUCATIONAL,   AND    BENEVOLENT 
MOVEMENTS, 


TO   WHICH    HE   HAS   GIVEN    LIBERALLY   OF 


HIS    TIME,    HIS    MEANS,    AND    HIS    INFLUENCE, 


THIS    WORK   18 


RESPECTFULLY    DEDICATED. 


PHEQ 

PREFACE 


O  OMETIME  ago  the  Ministerial  Union  of  Phila- 
delphia, an  organization  composed  of  the  min- 
isters of  the  evangelical  denominations  of  the  city, 
requested  the  writer  to  prepare  a  paper  on  young 
people's  work  in  the  Church. 

The  special  question  submitted  was,  "  How  to 
organize  the  young  people  of  the  Church  for  the 
most  efficient  Church  work?"  The  paper  was  pre- 
pared, and,  at  the  designated  time,  read  before  this 
ministerial  association,  and,  subsequently,  a  part  of 
it  was  read  before  another  body,  which  represented 
a  large  number  of  Churches. 

On  both  occasions  desires  were  expressed  for  its 
publication,  and,  as  frequent  requests,  both  formal 
and  informal,  by  resolution  and  otherwise,  have 
come  from  clergy  and  laity,  it  has  been  concluded 


6  Preface. 

that  this  paper  may  partially  supply  an  unoccupied 
place  in  this  particular  field  of  literature. 

In  view  of  these  facts,  the  writer  now  consents 
to  the  publication  of  these  pages,  which  have  grown 
from  the  essay  to  which  allusion  has  been  made. 
Not  desiring  to  make  a  large  volume,  he  has  sought 
to  make  the  work  practical  rather  than  rhetorical, 
and  suggestive  rather  than  exhaustive,  so  that  its 
size  may  be  convenient  for  general  circulation. 
The  scope  of  the  book  may  make  it  suitable  for 
older  members  as  well  as  young  converts,  and,  as 
it  refers  specially  to  the  young,  it  may  find  an  ap- 
propriate place  in  the  Sunday-school  Library. 

Hoping  that  the  hints  it  contains  may  be  helpful 
to  pastors  and  other  Christian  workers,  and  trust- 
ing that  it  may  be  of  service  in  utilizing  the  energy 
of  young  heads,  young  hands,  and  young  hearts,  it 
is  now  presented  to  the  public. 

T.  B.  Neely. 

Philadelphia,  January  25,  1881. 


INTRODUCTION. 


r~pHE  future  of  a  nation  depends  largely  on  the 
training  of  its  youth.  Some  ancient  lawgivers 
considered  the  children  as  belonging,  not  to  their 
parents,  but  to  the  State.  In  modern  times  enact- 
ments for  compulsory  education  are  based,  not 
merely  on  the  duty  of  the  State  to  the  children, 
but  also  on  the  conviction  that  educated  children 
add  to  the  wealth  of  the  nation.  The  Germans 
owed  their  victory  over  the  French  in  great  part 
to  the  fact  that  every  German  young  man  is 
trained  to  bearing  arms.  He  is  a  soldier  as  well 
as  a  citizen. 

In  the  Church  the  training  of  the  young  is  no 
less  important.  Mr.  Wesley  said  to  his  preachers, 
"  Unless  we  can  take  care  of  the  rising  generation 
the  present  revival  of  religion  will  be  res  unius 
cetatis,  it  will  last  only  the  age  of  a  man."     The 


8  Introduction 

efforts  of  the  Church  should  be  directed  not  only 
to  the  children,  but  pre-eminently  to  the  young 
people  who  are  passing  through  fascinations  and 
allurements,  and  who  are  being  prepared  for  the 
duties  of  maturer  life.  They  should  be  not  only 
taught  but  trained.  They  need  practical  drill  pre- 
paratory to  life's  great  battles. 

How  to  employ  them  is  the  pressing  problem. 
They  will  be  busy.  Society  calls,  amusements 
invite,  business  demands.  If  the  Church  neglects 
them  their  interest  will  be  enlisted  elsewhere,  and 
their  fervor,  tact,  and  activity  will  be  lost  to  the 
cause  of  Christ.  When  we  think  of  their  numbers 
and  of  the  immense  possibilities  involved,  who  can 
estimate  the  magnitude  of  such  a  loss?  The  young 
of  to-day  will  be  the  workers,  leaders,  and  coun- 
selors of  to-morrow.  If  they  attract  not  to  Christ 
they  will  repel  from  him.  The  soldier,  once  drilled 
and  trained,  is  always  ready  when  his  country  calls  ; 
so  the  young  Christian,  drilled  to  active  duty,  is 
prepared  at  any  time,  and  in  any  field,  to  labor 
for   Christ.      Experience  proves   that   young  con- 


Introduction.  9 

verts,  to  whom  active  duties  are  at  once  assigned, 
develop  into  a  strong  and  useful  Christian  man- 
hood ;  while  those  who  are  neglected,  or  who  de- 
cline to  work  at  once,  are  seldom  of  much  value  to 
the  Church.  Some  Churches  die  of  official  dignity 
and  age.  A  few  men,  good  and  true,  do  all  the 
work,  fill  all  the  offices,  enjoy  all  the  honors,  and 
the  masses  do  nothing.  They  fear  to  trust  the 
young,  and  the  young  cease  to  care  for  the 
Church.  When  the  aged  die,  there  are  none  pre- 
pared to  fill  the  places.  But  when  the  young  are 
employed  they  are  trained  under  the  eye  of  age, 
and  a  place  is  found  for  every  one.  The  Church 
expands  and  grows,  new  enterprises  are  carried 
forward,  and  when  an  Elijah  ascends,  his  mantle 
falls  on  a  faithful  Elisha. 

The  spirit  of  the  Christian  religion  harmonizes 
with  the  feelings  of  the  young.  They  are  full  of 
hope.  To  them  life  has  visions  of  beauty  and  of 
bliss.  The  religion  of  Christ  is  one  of  hope  and 
of  promise.  It  tells  of  coming  triumph  and  glory. 
How   different    was   Paganism  !      It   dwelt  in  the 


io  Introduction. 

past.  Its  golden  age,  when  the  gods  talked  and 
walked  with  men,  had  long  since  faded  away. 
Ages  of  silver  and  brass  and  iron  had  followed. 
Earth  was  becoming  worse  and  worse,  and  even 
Hope  was  about  to  bid  a  long  farewell.  When 
Christ  appeared  the  voice  of  childhood  startled 
the  earth,  and  old  Simeon  and  Anna  rejoiced  when 
they  beheld  him  in  the  temple.  At  twelve  his 
voice  was  heard  among  the  wise  men  in  the  tem- 
ple, asking  and  answering  questions,  and  vindicat- 
ing the  right  of  youth  to  be  there.  How  strangely 
that  life  of  Christ  seems  to  re-appear  upon  earth  ! 
How  many  Simeons  and  Annas  have  rejoiced  as 
they  have  seen  the  little  children  gathering  at  the 
cross  and  singing  in  sweet  chorus,  "  Jesus  loves 
me  !  "  And  how  to-day  are  our  children  and  young 
people  meeting  in  our  churches,  "  asking  and  an- 
swering questions,"  as  did  Jesus  among  the  doc- 
tors of  the  law ! 

How  often  is  youth  addressed  in  holy  Writ ! 
"  My  son,  give  me  thy  heart."  "  Thou,  Solomon, 
my    son,    know    thou    the    God    of   thy    fathers." 


Introduction.  i  i 

"  Rejoice,  O  young  man,  in  thy  youth,"  etc.  How 
joyfully  the  psalmist  turns  from  the  music  of  the 
temple,  and,  listening  to  the  coming  songs,  exclaims, 
"  Out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and  sucklings  hast 
thou  perfected  praise !  "  Jesus,  in  his  hour  of  tri- 
umphal entry  into  Jerusalem,  permitted  the  cries 
of  childhood,  saying,  "  Hosanna  to  the  Son  of 
David  ! "  He  himself,  with  a  little  child  in  his 
arms,  said,  "  Of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven ;" 
and  the  evangelical  prophet  saw  the  great  govern- 
ments of  earth,  like  tamed  wild  beasts,  falling  into 
line  in  the  army  of  righteousness,  and  exclaimed, 
"  A  little  child  shall  lead  them  !  "  If  such  is  the 
estimate  of  Christian  childhood,  how  much  more 
of  youth  educated,  trained,  and  filled  with  love  to 
God  and  man  ! 

Young  people  need  not  only  the  grand  ideas  of 
the  Gospel  and  its  blissful  inspirations  to  strength- 
en them  for  life's  duties,  but  also  that  more  perfect 
comprehending  and  realization  of  the  truth  which 
comes  from  instructing  others.  The  teacher  becomes 
wiser  as  he  teaches  others.     As  the  lips  tell  of  the 


12  Introduction. 

grand  promises  and  of  the  rich  experience,  the 
heart  grows  warmer,  the  head  clearer,  and  the  arm 
stronger  for  life's  great  duties.  If  some  method 
could  be  found  whereby  every  young  person  in  the 
Church  should  be  set  at  work,  how  much  moral 
power  would  be  gained ! 

Such  is  the  aim  of  the  present  volume.  It  is 
from  the  pen  of  an  active  minister,  who  has  stud- 
ied the  question  carefully,  and  who  has  practically 
tested  much  that  he  has  written. 

I  commend  the  work  most  heartily,  and  I  pray 
that  God's  blessing  may  accompany  it. 

M.  Simpson. 

Philadelphia,  January  24,  1SS1. 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter  Page 

I.  The  Organized  Church 15 

II.  Church  Activity  a  Necessity 20 

III.  General  Co-operation 23 

IV.  Co-operation  of  the  Young 42 

V.  What  the  Young  have  Done 62 

VI.  The  Nature  of  Young  People's  Work 69 

VII.  How  to  Secure  their  Co-operation 74 

VIII.  How  to  Obtain  Thorough  Work 83 

IX.  Individual  and  Organized  Effort 92 

X.  How  Youthful  may  the  Workers  be  ? 99 

XI.  Preparation  for  Work 102 

XII.  Should    the   Young   be   Associated   with  the 

Old  ? 109 

XIII.  The  Church  Lyceum 113 

XIV.  Assignment  of  Workers 121 

XV.  Principles  in  Practice 128 

XVI.  Words  for  Pastors 132 


14  Contents. 

Ciiaptek  Page 

XVII.  Views  for  Veterans 135 

XVIII.  Thoughts  for  the  Young 148 

XIX.  Words  for  all  Workers 165 

XX.  Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration 185 

XXI.  Conclusion 216 


PRINCETON 

TH£GLQGie& 
|fffflN&g^ 

YOUNG  WOEKEES  IN  THE  CH  IECH. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE   ORGANIZED   CHURCH. 

TESUS  called  men,  and  they  responded  by  be- 
coming  his  disciples  ;  drawn  by  him  they  came 
together,  and  the  Church  of  Christ  was  formed. 
To-day  he  calls,  and  the  Spirit  of  Christ  in  the 
hearts  of  his  disciples  draws  them  together,  and 
Christian  Churches  are  begun  and  perpetuated. 

Called  together  by  the  external  command,  and 
brought  together  by  the  same-  internal  Spirit,  the 
elements  crystallize  into  oneness,  and  from  the 
combination  is  developed  the  organic  Church — 
the  ecclesia. 

This  organized  Church  has  a  grand  mission,  which 
isolated  individuals  never  could  accomplish.  The 
association  gives  united  sympathy  and  combined 
strength.     The  organic  form  gives  an  aggregation 


1 6       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

of  moral  power  which  is  a  mighty  force  in  defend- 
ing the  good  and  in  overcoming  the  evil.  Just  as 
the  trained  army  is  more  effective  than  the  same 
number  of  individuals  acting  independently,  so  is 
the  organized  Church  more  efficient  than  its  constit- 
uent elements  acting  separately  could  possibly  be. 

The  Church  is  the  lens  which  brings  the  moral 
forces  of  the  world  to  a  focus.  Rays  of  moral  and 
spiritual  light,  which  would  otherwise  be  weak  and 
wasted,  have,  when  thus  focalized,  a  burning  energy 
to  consume  sin,  to  melt  hard  hearts,  to  illuminate 
clouded  minds,  and  to  cheer  drooping  spirits. 

Its  concentration  of  interest  is  influential  in  at- 
tracting souls  to  the  service  of  God,  and  its  union 
of  sympathy  and  effort  is  efficient  in  building  beau- 
tiful Christian  characters. 

Its  work  is  to  save  sinners  and  to  edify  believers. 
This  is  a  double  and  simultaneous  work.  Both 
lines  of  operation  must  be  carried  forward  at  the 
same  time.  While  the  Church  develops  the  relig- 
ious character  of  its  members,  it  should  also  go  out 
and  bring  others  in,  that  they  may  be  under  the 
same  gracious  influences. 


The  Organized  Church.  17 

Both  works  are  mutually  helpful.  Progress  in 
one  benefits  the  other,  while  failure  in  one  injures 
the  other. 

Spirituality  is  as  necessary  to  the  Church  as  life 
is  to  the  body,  and  Church  activity  is  as  necessary 
for  the  Church  as  exercise  and  exertion  are  for  the 
body. 

Life  in  the  body  makes  physical  action  possible, 
but  if  there  is  no  activity,  the  vigor  of  the  body 
diminishes  and  death  ensues.  So  spiritual  life  is 
needed  to  make  true  Church  activity  possible,  but 
if  there  is  no  Christian  activity  there  will  be  spirit- 
ual decay  and  death. 

No  lesson  taught  by  the  history  of  the  Christian 
Church  is  more  prominent  and  indisputable  than 
this,  that  spirituality  promotes  activity  and  activity 
preserves  spirituality.     Both  move  together. 

Whenever  the  Church  has  abounded  in  spiritual 
vitality  and  has  exerted  its  power,  it  has  proved  su- 
perior to  all  opposing  forces,  and  has  gained  the 
greatest  triumphs  even  when  the  strongest  antag- 
onisms have  been  arrayed  against  it. 

Whatever  failures  the  Church  may  have  had  are 

2 


1 8        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

attributable  to  a  decline  in  external  aggressiveness 
or  to  a  diminution  in  the  development  of  the  inner 
spiritual  vigor. 

Whenever  the  Church  has  permitted  periods  of 
decline  in  religious  activities  it  has  lost  the  power 
of  the  religious  life;  but  whenever  it  has  performed 
genuine  missionary  work  it  has  strengthened  its 
spirituality. 

Activity  will  spring  from  a  vigorous  spirituality, 
and  it  will,  by  its  reflex  influence,  strengthen  spir- 
itual power  ;  and  hence  the  Church  should  develop 
the  internal  piety  of  the  individual  members,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  stimulate  to  external  action. 
Without  these  conditions  success  is  impossible  ; 
with  them  there  is  the  prophecy  of  progress. 

An  army  is  organized  for  strong  and  sustained 
effort  ;  the  Church  is  formed  for  constant  and  vig- 
orous action.  The  army  is  to  move  forv/ard  ;  the 
Church  is  to  advance.  United  in  harmonious  ac- 
tion, it  is  to  advance  and  conquer,  to  take  and 
hold,  to  overthrow  wrong  and  strengthen  right. 

The  preservative  power  of  the  Church  over  its 
own   adherents   depends    upon   its   aggressiveness, 


The  Organized  Church.  19 

while  upon  the  degree  of  its  piety  depends  its  in- 
fluence upon  the  outside  world.  The  Church  must 
be  aggressive,  or  it  will  fail  to  gain  accessions,  and, 
consequently,  will  die  through  natural  waste. 

On  the  other  hand,  if  it  does  not  edify  and  de- 
velop those  within  the  fold,  its  spiritual  life  will  di- 
minish and  its  members  will  become  a  mere  bundle 
of  feeble  formalists  bound  together  by  bands  of  brit- 
tle formalities. 

With  this  general  recognition  of  the  constant  ne- 
cessity of  spirituality,  we  will  not  be  misunderstood 
as  we  confine  ourselves  to  a  consideration  of  Chris- 
tian activities. 

As  we  have  already  intimated,  they  are  conserv- 
ative of  spiritual  life.  They  benefit  the  individual 
members  who  are  active,  and  the  Church  in  and 
from  which  they  act.  As  muscular  exertion  brings 
increased  vigor,  so  moral  and  religious  activities 
conduce  to  greater  strength  of  the  religious  charac- 
ter, while,  through  the  activity  of  its  members,  the 
Church  augments  its  force  by  developing  internal 
power,  multiplying  its  numbers,  and  increasing  its 
influence  on  the  community. 


2o       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 


CHAPTER  II. 

CHURCH   ACTIVITY  A   NECESSITY. 

A  S  a  Church  is  a  body  composed  of  individual 
members,  it  is  as  a  whole  whatever  are  its  con- 
stituent parts.  In  organized  action  it  presents  the 
average  power  of  those  composing  the  organism. 
If  the  individual  members  are  vigorously  active, 
then  the  Church  will  possess  energy  and  engage  in 
earnest  endeavor.  Hence,  as  the  influence  of  the 
Church  represents  the  aggregate  power  of  its  indi- 
vidual members,  so  each  Church,  as  well  as  each 
person,  has  an  individuality  of  character  before  the 
community.  A  Church  is  judged  by  its  work  as  a 
Church,  just  as  the  member  is  judged  by  his  per- 
sonal life  and  acts.  Because  of  this  a  Church  may 
be  referred  to  as  "  a  live  Church,"  or  "  a  dead 
Church,"  "  an  inactive  Church,"  or  "  a  working 
Church." 

As  reputation  is  a  part  of  an  individual's  capital, 
so  does  a  Church's  influence  depend  largely  upon 


CJnircJi  Activity  a  Necessity.  21 

its  reputation,  and  no  Church  is  so  respected  by  the 
outside  community  as  one  which  is  steadily  engaged 
in  intelligent  and  vigorous  Christian  work.  Hence, 
every  Church  should  have  the  reputation  of  being 
"a  living  and  working  Church"  in  order  that  it  may 
be  influential  with  those  outside  its  pale. 

Mr.  Spurgeon  has  said  :  "  A  Church  gets  to  be 
despised  when  it  is  dead.  The  better  a  thing  was 
when  alive,  the  worse  it  becomes  when  dead  ;  and 
so,  if  a  Church  was,  when  alive,  full  of  vigor  and 
strength,  in  that  proportion  would  it,  when  cor- 
rupted, become  bad  and  despicable,  and  the  only 
thing  was  to  bury  it  out  of  sight.  A  dead  Church 
was  the  most  loathsome  thing  on  the  face  of  the 
earth." 

In  the  present  time  the  need  for  great  activity 
is,  perhaps,  more  pressing  than  in  any  former  age. 
It  is  an  era  of  eager  energy  and  surprising  swift- 
ness. Business  goes  by  steam,  science  takes  the 
wings  of  the  light,  and  whatever  is  slower  than  the 
times  will  be  neglected,  left  behind,  and  forgotten. 

Always  on  the  alert,  the  Church  should  never  al- 
low the  world  to  outstrip  it  in  the  march  of  prog- 


22        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

ress.  It  must  be  quick  to  avail  itself  of  every  op- 
portunity in  the  earnest  prosecution  of  its  mission, 
or  stand  in  humiliating  contrast  with  a  busy  world, 
fail  to  secure  what  it  might  otherwise  gain,  and 
suffer  great  loss  in  that  which  it  has  already 
obtained. 

Greater  energy  is  needed  on  the  part  of  the 
Church,  not  only  because  of  the  general  rush  of 
events,  but  also  because  of  the  vigorous  opposition 
of  many  antichristian  antagonisms  which  it  should 
overcome,  and  because  of  the  rapidly  opening  op- 
portunities of  which  it  should  avail  itself.  It  is 
emphatically  an  age  when  the  sowers  of  the  word 
should  scatter  the  good  seed  from  early  morn  till 
dewy  eve — when  the  Christian  husbandman  should, 
with  prompt  and  patient  care,  cultivate  the  plants 
in  the  garden  of  the  Lord — when  Gospel  reapers 
should  quickly  gather  the  ripening  harvest — when 
the  soldiers  of  the  cross  should  speed  them  to  the 
field  of  strife,  fighting  not  merely  on  the  defensive, 
but,  boldly  taking  the  aggressive,  press  forward  to 
the  overthrow  of  the  forces  of  evil,  and  to  take  pos- 
session of  points  of  permanent  power. 


Genera/  Co-operation.  23 


CHAPTER  III. 

GENERAL   CO-OPERATION. 

r  I  ^HE  great  need  of  the  Church  is  general 
co-operation  on  the  part  of  ministers  and 
members. 

All  other  things  being  equal,  the  success  of  a 
Church,  or  of  any  similar  organization,  will  be  in 
proportion  to  the  number  of  workers  it  possesses. 
When  the  few  do  the  work  the  results  cannot  com- 
pare with  what  would  be  achieved  if  the  toilers  were 
the  many.  Not  only  does  this  principle  commend 
itself  to  the  reason  as  axiomatic,  but  experience 
positively  proves  that  the  prosperity  of  a  Church 
is  in  proportion  to  the  general  interest  manifested 
and  the  numbers  actually  engaged  in  promoting  its 
welfare.  Hence  the  true  aim  is  to  call  into  action 
the  largest  possible  number  of  workers. 

Usually  the  real  work  is  done  by  the  few,  and 
this  is  not  greatly  to  be  wondered  at  when  but  a 
very  small   minority   seem   to   think   that   Church 


24        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

work  should  be  expected  of  them.  While  the  real 
workers  are  comparatively  few,  it  is  not  only  a 
negative  disadvantage  that  the  many  "  stand  idle 
all  the  day,"  but  also  a  positive  evil.  Not  only  is 
the  power  they  could  exert  lost  to  the  Church,  but 
they  also,  to  a  great  extent,  neutralize  the  aggress- 
ive force  of  the  active  minority.  Indeed,  one  of 
the  greatest  impediments  to  the  progress  of  a 
Church  is  the  indifference  and  inactivity  inside 
itself.  Like  non-combatants  and  invalids  in  an 
army,  these  non-workers  clog  the  movements  and 
retard  the  advance  of  the  Church  militant.  En- 
ergy is  absorbed  in  caring  for  them.  They  are 
a  dead-weight  which  must  be  carried,  and  thus 
strength  is  exhausted  which  would  be  more  serv- 
iceable in  other  directions.  A  desideratum  is  some 
means  of  overcoming  this  inertia,  for  the  vitality 
of  a  Church  will  diminish  in  proportion  to  the 
diminution  of  those  actively  interested.  A  Church 
where  one  man  assumes  every  thing  tends  gradu- 
ally to  reduce  itself  to  that  single  individual.  In- 
action on  the  part  of  the  many  is  also  productive 
of  disquiet,   and  is  a  source   of  trouble,  for  many 


General  Co-operation.  25 

a  time  has  the  old  saying  been  found  true  in  the 
Church,  as  well  as  in  other  places,  that 

"  Satan  finds  some  mischief  still 
For  idle  hands  to  do." 

Hence  it  is  good  management  to  keep  all  so  busy 
that  they  will  not  have  time  for  fault  finding,  dis- 
content, and  discord. 

The  mistake  of  generations  was  the  habit  of 
reducing  the  number  of  workers  to  the  minimum, 
instead  of  developing  the  maximum.  Practically, 
for  a  long  period,  the  pastor  was  esteemed,  in  a 
spiritual  sense,  the  only  worker.  This  error  is  now 
becoming  evident,  and  the  opinion  and  practice  of 
the  Church  is  rapidly  changing ;  not  that  it  is 
thought  the  preacher  should  do  less,  but  that  the 
people  should  do  more.  The  intelligent  now  per- 
ceive that  the  pastor  can  do  only  a  particle  of  the 
work  which  should  be  performed.  The  minister 
may  be  an  indefatigable  laborer  in  his  sphere,  but 
if  he  is  the  only  toiler  comparatively  little  can  be 
accomplished. 

In  the  very  nature  of  things  fche  minister  is  a 
preacher  before  he   becomes  a  pastor.     His  com- 


26        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

mission  is,  "  Go  preach,"  "  Go  teach."  His  first 
place  is  the  pulpit,  then  the  pastorate.  First,  the 
calling  and  gathering,  and  then  the  care-taking,  the 
latter  work  being  the  natural  sequence  of  the  for- 
mer. No  doubt  it  is  true  that  preachers  are  and 
should  be  pastors,  but  it  is  becoming  evident  to  the 
minds  of  many  that  there  should  be  pastors  who 
are  not  pulpit  preachers,  or,  at  least,  that  in  some 
sense  all  the  people  are  pastors,  and  should  have  a 
watchful  and  loving  care  over  each  other. 

A  minister  in  charge  of  a  Church,  after  preparing 
two  or  more  sermons  a  week,  besides  his  weekly 
lecture,  visiting  the  sick,  attending  funerals,  and, 
perhaps,  teaching  a  Bible  lesson,  besides  giving  at- 
tention to  many  other  details  connected  with  his 
charge,  has  left,  especially  in  a  large  city  parish,  a 
very  insufficient  amount  of  time  for  the  general 
work  demanding  attention  and  awaiting  accom- 
plishment, and,  therefore,  others  must  be  called  in 
to  assist,  or  the  work  will  remain  undone. 

Or  suppose  the  minister  should  spend  no  time  in 
his  study,  but  should  visit  from  early  morn  until 
late    at    night,  and   that    week   after  week,   yet    it 


General  Co-operation.  27 

would  be  impossible  for  him  to  satisfy  the  desires 
of  all  the  people  to  see  the  pastor  in  their  homes, 
and  to  attend  to  every  case  that  demands  atten- 
tion. When  the  most  diligent  pastor  has  done  all 
he  can,  there  will  still  remain  much  undone. 

In  this  work  of  pastoral  visiting  the  people 
must  be  called  in  to  do  their  share,  and  often  the 
visits  of  the  members  of  the  Church  will  have  a 
better  influence  than  the  calls  of  the  minister,  for 
then  the  people  will  feel  that  the  members  are  in- 
terested in  them,  while  the  visit  of  the  preacher 
alone  might  be  taken  as  merely  professional.  Just 
here  it  is  worth  mentioning  that  it  is  a  matter  of 
observation  that  though  a  preacher  may  attract 
strangers  to  his  church,  they  will  seldom  identify 
themselves  with  the  Church  because  of  the  pastor, 
unless  they  are  also  attracted  by  the  members,  and 
find  the  congregation  congenial.  Hence  no  Church 
can  afford  to  depend  solely  upon  the  efforts  of  the 
preacher,  but  the  members  should  individually 
exert  all  their  attractive  power  to  draw  and  to 
hold. 

In  view  of  such  facts,  the  truth  is  now  becoming 


28        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

generally  accepted  that  the  members  must  work 
with  the  minister,  and  that,  in  the  matter  of  gen- 
eral Church  activity,  much  of  the  pastor's  work 
should  be  to  act  as  the  chief  officer  in  endeavoring 
to  develop  the  latent  forces  in  the  Church,  and  in 
directing  them  most  wisely  and  efficiently. 

Not  only  is  it  a  part  of  the  pastor's  duty  to 
arouse  general  activity,  but  he  can  scarcely  be  em- 
ployed more  effectively.  Indeed,  many  a  preach- 
er's prosperity  is  due,  not  so  much  to  great  learn- 
ing or  overwhelming  oratory,  as  to  his  tact  in 
persuading  the  people  to  perform  Church  work. 
Thus  Mr.  Spurgeon's  power  is  attributed,  not  so 
much  to  his  admirable  ability  as  a  speaker,  as  to 
his  skill  in  putting  his  people  in  the  line  of  Chris- 
tian activity.  Active  himself,  he  has  developed  a 
working  Church,  and  so  the  success  of  any  pastor 
will  depend  largely  on  the  organizing  power  and 
the  executive  ability  he  possesses. 

He  is  not  always  the  best  pastor  who  is  out  of 
his  study  most.  He  who  walks  about  most  may  not 
be  doing  the  most  work.  The  preacher's  frequent 
physical  presence  on  the  street  is  not  a  positive  proof 


General  Co-operation.  29 

of  a  perfect  pastorate.  He  who  makes  the  greatest 
number  of  personal  calls  may  not  be  doing  the 
greatest  amount  of  good.  We  knew  a  preacher 
who,  because  of  lameness,  could  do  little  of  what 
is  conventionally  called  pastoral  work,  and  yet, 
through  his  systematic  superintendence,  the  pas- 
toral work  of  his  charge  was  performed  with  more 
than  usual  thoroughness.  Time  which  others 
spent  on  the  street  he  spent  in  his  study,  consider- 
ing the  state  of  his  Church,  planning  for  its  needs, 
and  determining  what  persons  he  would  direct  to 
carry  out  his  plans.  In  this  he  did  better  work 
than  if,  even  without  his  lameness,  he  had  at- 
tempted to  do  the  whole  work  himself.  Much  of 
the  work  was  what  a  laymen  could  do  as  well  as  a 
clergyman,  and  in  calling  the  members  to  do  this 
work,  he  increased  their  interest,  developed  their 
power,  and  consequently  exerted  greater  influence 
on  the  community. 

A  general  is  doing  more  for  the  success  of  the 
campaign  when,  at  head-quarters,  he  studies  the 
topography  of  the  country,  hears  the  information 
brought  in  by  his  scouts,  and  determines  the  line 


30        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

of  march,  than  if  as  a  sentry  he  paced  his  beat  at 
an  outpost.  The  commander  contributes  more  to 
the  successful  issue  of  the  battle  when,  surrounded 
by  his  aids,  he  directs  the  disposal  of  the  troops, 
than  if,  bearing  a  musket,  he  took  his  place  in  the 
ranks.  He  may  not  fire  a  shot,  and  yet  the  victory 
may  be  due  to  his  skill. 

Nehemiah  did  not  put  a  stone  in  the  walls  of 
Jerusalem,  yet  he  built  the  walls  by  getting  the 
people  to  do  the  work. 

So  a  minister  may  benefit  the  Church  and  com- 
munity more  by  devoting  some  time  to  consider- 
ing how  duties  may  be  distributed  among  the 
members,  than  if,  with  his  own  inadequate  powers, 
he  alone  attempted  their  discharge.  Indeed,  such 
study  is  second  only  to  his  preparation  for  the 
pulpit.  It  should  be  his  aim  to  call  into  activity 
the  largest  possible  number  of  individuals,  and  in 
thinking  out  plans  of  operation,  and  in  organizing 
and  getting  others  to  work,  his  brain  and  time  will 
produce  more  valuable  results  than  if  he  attempted 
the  impossibility  of  doing  all  himself. 

The  telegraph  operator,  sitting  in  his  office  from 


General  Co-operation.  31 

which  wires  run  in  all  directions,  holding  the  elec- 
tric current  under  control  by  his  touch,  sends  a 
message  in  any  or  all  directions,  and  men  at  great 
distances  respond  to  his  call.  So  the  honored  pas- 
tor, who  has  systematically  studied  his  Church 
work,  and  whose  people  cheerfully  co-operate  with 
him,  occupies  the  center  of  influence  in  his  Church, 
and  may  touch  the  key  of  harmonious  action, 
and  from  all  directions  call  old  and  young  to  his 
assistance  in  the  discharge  of  duty  in  the  diverse 
departments  of  Christian  effort,  and  cause  the 
work  to  be  done  with  greater  thoroughness  and 
promptitude. 

Not  only  is  it  the  result  of  reason  and  the  ex- 
hortation of  experience  that  there  should  be  the 
co-operation  of  the  largest  possible  number,  but 
we  also  find  that  the  doctrine  of  holy  writ  is,  "  To 
every  man  his  work."  Hence  in  view  of  the  script- 
ural injunction,  as  well  as  for  many  other  reasons, 
it  is  the  duty  of  each  member  to  do  something  in 
the  line  of  Christian  activity;  and  therefore  it  is  a 
very  important  part  of  the  responsibility  of  those 
charged  with  the  management  of  Churches  to  re- 


32        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

veal  to  every  man  his  work,  and  persuade  him  to 
its  performance. 

The  eloquent  and  venerated  Bishop  Simpson  has 
sometimes  said  when  addressing  ministers  :  "  Never 
do  any  thing  that  you  can  get  any  one  else  to  do." 
Of  course,  this  pointed  and  practical  maxim  was 
qualified  by  his  urging  the  ministers  to  do  all  they 
could  themselves,  while  at  the  same  time  they  tried 
to  set  all  their  people  at  work. 

Mr.  Spurgeon  speaks  of  pastors  who  work  "  with 
hands,  feet,  and  mouths,  like  a  mother  knitting, 
rocking  a  cradle,  and  perhaps  reading,  all  at  once," 
and  says :  "  Sometimes  they  would  do  more  good 
if,  instead  of  doing  so  much,  they  let  others  do  it. 
A  minister  might  as  well  occasionally  employ  a 
deacon,  and  a  deacon  a  young  man  that  may  then 
grow  into  a  deacon.  It  might  be  part  of  their  bur- 
den to  put  their  burden  upon  somebody  else.  I 
believe  it  is  often  a  Christian  duty  not  to  do  it,  but 
to  make  a  man  do  it  himself,  for  just  as  they  might 
beggar  people  by  indiscriminate  alms,  so  they 
might  beggar  some  Christians  by  indiscriminate 
help.     When  a  little  girl  is  obliged  to  raise  herself 


General  Co-operation.  33 

up  to  enable  her  to  reach  the  knocker  on  a  door,  it 
may  be  a  very  good  thing  for  her,  better  than  lift- 
ing her  up  to  knock.  To  pray  for  a  person  was 
very  well ;  but  to  help  another  person  to  pray  for 
himself  was  far  better,  and  so  in  all  Christian  work. 

"  They  must  try  and  train  the  whole  of  their 
regiment  for  Christ — drummer-boys  and  girls  ;  every 
man-jack  of  them  must  do  something  for  Christ, 
and  try  and  invent  a  way  of  making  it  to  be  a 
pleasure  and  spiritually  healthy  to  be  spending 
their  strength  for  Christ.'.' 

Words  like  these  from  such  an  eminently  indus- 
trious minister  mean  very  much. 

The  Church  has  a  right  to  expect  and  demand 
that  each  member  shall  contribute  to  the  progress 
of  the  Church  by  some  form  of  Christian  activity. 

Drones  should  not  be  tolerated  in  the  hive.  All 
should  be  workers. 

Some  denominations,  in  their  ritual  for  the  re- 
ception of  members,  ask  the  candidates  whether 
they  will  contribute  of  their  financial  means  to  sus- 
tain   Church    enterprises ;    then,   why  not,    on    the 

same    principle,   just    as    reasonably    ask    them    to 
3 


34        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

pledge  a  proportion  of  their  time  and  talents  to 
some  other  form  of  supporting  and  strengthening 
the  Church?  For  example,  why  should  they  not 
promise  to  perform  Church  work  according  to  their 
ability?     In  some  places  this  plan  has  been  tried. 

Mr.  Spurgeon  says:  "  My  esteemed  friend,  who 
is  a  very  apostle  of  Christ,  Mr.  Oncken,  of  Ham- 
burgh, in  forming  Baptist  Churches  in  Germany, 
lays  down  as  one  of  the  first  questions  to  be  asked 
of  a  person  applying  for  membership,  '  What  will 
you  do  in  the  service  of- Jesus  Christ?'  Perhaps 
the  candidate  says,  '  I  can  do  nothing.'  And  in  that 
case  the  pastor  replies,  *  I  cannot  receive  you  ;  we 
can  have  no  drones  in  this  hive.'  Or,  perhaps  the 
candidate  will  reply,  '  What  do  you  think  I  can 
do  ? '  And  the  pastor  will  say,  '  Something  you 
must  do  ;  you  can  only  become  a  member  of  this 
Church  by  engaging  in  some  Christian  service.' 

"  I  would  almost  carry  it  so  far  as  to  say,  '  Un- 
less you  are  laid  aside  by  illness,  you  must  continue 
to  do  something,  or  be  excommunicated  ipso  facto 
by  your  doing  nothing.'  That  might  be  too  ex- 
treme a  rule,  but  the  spirit  of  it  is  right. 


General  Co-operation.  35 

"  If  it  were  a  generally  understood  regulation 
that  one  of  the  conditions  of  Church  membership 
was  service,  we  might  see  our  Churches  rising  to  a 
far  higher  degree  of  zeal  for  God  than  they  have 
ever  yet  attained.  We  know  by  experience  that 
the  idle  part  of  the  Church  is  that  in  which  sin  has 
strongest  hold.  If  a  farmer  should  leave  one  part 
of  his  farm  uncultivated,  it  would  be  a  hot-bed  for 
weeds ;  and  the  garlic,  the  nettle,  and  the  thistle 
would  from  that  center  spread  all  over  his  estate. 

"  The  unworking  part  of  the  Church,  like  the 
mixed  multitude  that  came  out  of  Egypt,  falls  a 
lusting,  and  brings  mischief  upon  the  whole  of 
Israel." 

Such  teaching  largely  explains  the  success  of 
Spurgeon's  Tabernacle  in  London ;  and  the  Rev. 
James  A.  Spurgeon,  brother  of  the  celebrated 
Charles  H.  Spurgeon,  when  referring  to  the  pros- 
perity of  the  Tabernacle  congregation,  said,  "  The 
reason  of  their  success  was  not  that  they  had  such 
a  great  leader,  for  the  general  was  powerless  unless 
his  army  was  efficient  and  earnest.  The  true  rea- 
son of  their  success  was  that  every  one  of  the  rank 


36        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

and  file  in  the  organization  was  a  zealous  worker 
for  the  advancement  of  the  cause  of  Christ.  When- 
ever a  new  member  joins,  the  question  was  put  to 
him,  'What  can  you  do?'  'What  are  you  willing 
to  do  ? '  and  he  was  at  once  set  at  work  to  perform 
the  duty  for  which  he  was  most  fitted." 

Perhaps,  in  some  cases,  it  would  not  be  a  bad 
idea  to  try  the  method  of  the  senior  Dr.  Tyng.  It 
is  said  that  a  retired  merchant,  who  had  led  a  very 
active  life,  offered  himself  as  a  candidate  for  mem- 
bership in  his  Church,  remarking  that  he  now  in- 
tended to  take  his  ease  and  not  do  any  thing  but 
enjoy  himself,  when  the  venerable  doctor  quickly 
responded,  "  My  dear  sir,  this  is  not  the  Church  for 
you  ;  the  '  Church  of  the  Heavenly  Rest '  is  round 
the  corner." 

In  this  world  we  do  not  need  "  Heavenly  Rest" 
Churches,  but  every  one  should  be  a  Church  of 
Christian  Endeavor.  It  should  not  be  a  place  of 
quietude,  but  a  base  of  active  operations,  for  this  is 
not  the  Church  triumphant,  but  the  Church  mili- 
tant. To  make  a  formal  demand  for  a  pledge  of 
active  work,  as  a  condition  of  Church  membership, 


General  Co-operation.  37 

might  not  be  judicious,  but  it  is  certainly  wise  to 
declare  most  emphatically  the  duty  and  necessity 
of  general  co-operation. 

The  Rev.  J.  Clifford,  in  an  address  delivered  in 
the  Metropolitan  Tabernacle,  London,  says  there 
is  "  need  for  the  diffusion  throughout  all  the  mem- 
bers of  each  particular  Christian  community  of  a 
keen  and  vivid  sense  of  personal  responsibility  for 
the  fame,  the  efficiency,  the  happiness,  and  the  suc- 
cess of  the  whole  Church. 

"  Christ  Jesus  requires  the  Churches  to  care  for 
themselves.  He  has  cast  the  responsibility  of 
management  entirely  upon  them.  It  is  not  to  an 
official,  be  he  pastor  or  elder,  but  to  the  brethren, 
that  the  direction  is  sent,  *  Warn  the  unruly,  com- 
fort the  feeble-minded,  support  the  weak,  be  pa- 
tient toward  all/  The  Spirit  spake  to  the  Church- 
es as  well  as  to  the  seven  angels. 

11  Christ  has  gone  away,  and  has  devolved  on  his 
disciples  and  servants  the  entire  care  of  his  king- 
dom, saying,  '  Occupy  till  I  come.'  Its  protection 
is  in  our  hands,  and  the  ordering  of  its  affairs  rests 
with  us.     We   have  to   fill  his  place,  to  think  for 


38         Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

him  and  his,  to  act  for  him  and  his,  to  suffer  for 
him  and  his,  and  to  make  the  welfare  of  his  king- 
dom completely  our  own,  its  prosperity  ours,  its 
failures  ours,  its  whole  experience  ours  ;  in  a  word, 
to  live  for  it,  putting  it  always  first  because  it  really 
is  first,  and  because  we  are  never  in  our  true  place 
save  as  it  is  before  us. 

'•  He  cannot  be  'a  good  Churchman'  who  shirks 
the  responsibility  of  personal  care  and  personal 
gifts  and  personal  service  in  the  Church  to  which 
he  belongs.  It  is  cowardly;  it  is  unmanly;  it  is 
against  the  will  of  Christ  our  Master.  The  Church 
fails  of  its  ideal,  and  we  are  to  blame.  It  is  not  so 
peaceful,  so  self-restrained  ;  it  is  noisy  when  it 
might  be  quiet,  agitated  when  it  might  be  calm, 
penurious  where  it  might  be  generous  and  large- 
hearted,  weak  when  it  might  be  strong;  but  we 
fail  through  some  false  love  of  ease,  a  fear  of  fel- 
lowship with  natures  not  so  refined  and  gentle  as 
ours,  to  come  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord. 

"  The  creation  of  officials  is  not  absolution  from 
personal  duty ;  the  appointment  of  committees  and 
the  arrangement  of  departments  does  not  set  us 


General  Co-operation.  39 

free  from  the  claims  of  Christ  upon  our  individual 
thought  and  prayer,  sympathy  and  work. 

"  Each  man  must  carry  his  own  burden,  and  not 
put  it  on  another;  he  himself,  and  not  a  paid  sub- 
stitute, has  to  fight  against  sin  in  every  form,  and 
seek  to  build  up  a  holy  brotherhood  permeated 
with  the  love  of  God,  enriched  with  all  spiritual 
wisdom  and  power,  graced  with  all  the  courtesies 
and  gentleness  of  the  life  of  Christ,  and  passionate- 
ly bent  on  saving  the  world  from  the  misery  and 
mischief  of  sin." 

We  commonly  divide  the  Church  into  two  classes 
— the  ministry  and  the  laity.  There  is  a  just  dis- 
tinction between  them  but  many  of  the  old  no- 
tions concerning  their  respective  rights  and  duties 
should  be  swept  away. 

Each  class  should  work  in  its  own  sphere,  but 
the  object  is  the  same,  and  the  success  of  one  class 
tends  to  the  success  of  the  other.  The  soldier  in 
the  ranks  is  not  jealous  of  his  general  nor  the 
general  of  the  rank  and  file ;  neither  should  the 
laity  be  jealous  of  the  clergy  nor  the  clergy  of  the 
laity.     Both  soldier  and  officer  have  the  same  ob- 


40        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

ject  in  view ;  so  the  minister  and  the  member, 
though  in  different  spheres,  should  work  together 
for  the  glory  of  the  same  Lord,  and,  looking  to 
him,  say,  "  Not  unto  us,  not  unto  us,  but  unto  thy 
name  be  glory."  There  is  no  place  for  antagonism 
or  rivalry  between  the  two  orders,  and,  surely,  it 
must  be  admitted  that  to-day  the  ministry  gladly 
welcomes  the  laity  to  a  very  large  share  in  the  work 
of  the  Church,  and  is  extremely  anxious  to  have  all 
do  what  they  can. 

Public  opinion  has  been  apt  to  give  the  ministry 
a  wide  field,  (perhaps  too  wide,)  while  it  confined 
the  laity  to  very  narrow  limits.  This  is  partly  the 
result  of  clerical  teaching  in  other  ages,  and  partly 
the  fault  of  shrinking  or  indisposition  on  the  part 
of  the  laity. 

Old  opinions  need  revision.  While  ministerial 
work  is  far-reaching,  the  laity  should  not  be  pent 
up  in  very  restricted  bounds.  Outside  a  few  spe- 
cial offices  that  belong  to  the  clergy,  there  is  little 
the  laity  may  not  do.  As  Dr.  Haydn  has  well  said  : 
"  All  Christian  work,  not  exclusively  ministerial,  is 
lav-work." 


General  Co-operation.  41 

Woman,  especially,  has  a  grand  mission  in 
Church-work,  and  we  are  seeing  the  fulfillment  of 
the  prophecy,  "  It  shall  come  to  pass,  in  the  last 
days,  I  will  pour  out  of  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh, 
and  your  sons  and  your  daughters  shall  prophesy." 

There  is,  indeed,  little  work  in  the  field  of  Chris- 
tian activity  that  woman  may  not  perform  with  the 
utmost  propriety. 

Clergy  and  laity  are  beginning  to  perceive  more 
thoroughly  than  ever  before  that  every  individual 
and  every  influence  must  be  utilized. 

The  Church  needs  the  peculiar  power  possessed 
by  each  class  in  its  membership,  for  each  class  has 
a  value  peculiar  to  itself,  and  each  in  combination 
supplements  and  sustains  the  others.  The  old  are 
needed  for  their  experience,  the  cultured  for  their 
intelligence,  the  wealthy  for  their  means,  and  the 
mature  for  their  might,  and  whenever  and  wher- 
ever all  classes  are  brought  into  united  action,  each 
doing  its  part,  and  all  seeking  the  accomplishment 
of  the  same  common  end,  there  will  be  a  thor- 
oughly aggressive  and  successful  Church. 


42        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CO-OPERATION  OF  THE   YOUNG. 

A    S   co-operation    of  the   Church    in    general    is 

greatly  to  be  desired,  and,  in  view  of  many 

circumstances,  is  absolutely  demanded,  it  may  be 

asked  whether  in  this  co-operation  there  is  a  place 

for  the  young  people  of  the  congregation. 

But  what  are  we  to  understand  by  the  phrase, 
"  The  young  people  of  the  Church  ?  " 

Who  are  "  the  young  people  ?  " 

As  a  general  definition,  it  will  be  sufficiently 
specific  to  suppose  that  the  phrase  refers  to  persons 
in  the  period  of  early  manhood  or  womanhood,  and 
also  to  many  who  are  even  more  youthful.  For 
practical  purposes  the  majority  of  new  converts 
might  be  added  to  this  category.  The  expression 
therefore  embraces  the  young  people  in  connection 
with  the  Church,  and  these  may  be  divided  into 
two  classes,  namely,  the  young  people  in  the 
Church,  and   the  young  people  of  the   Church  — 


Co-operation  of  the  Young.  43 

those  who  are  enrolled  as  actual  members,  and 
those  who,  though  not  registered  as  members  of 
the  Church,  are  connected  with  the  Sunday-school 
or  congregation,  and  are  therefore  under  the  spe- 
cial care  of  the  Church. 

We  maintain  that  both  these  classes  should  be 
called  into  action  for  the  Church.  We  claim  that 
in  the  combined  activities  of  a  Church  organization 
there  is  an  actual  necessity  for  their  co-operation. 
But  some  may  ask  why  their  service  is  needed,  and 
reasons  must  be  given. 

We  present  a  few  out  of  many  particulars  : 

I.  Because  it  tends  to  bring  the  young  people 
of  the  congregation  into  the  membership  of  the 
Church. 

Observation  proves  this  a  correct  principle — for 
the  human  heart  becomes  attached  to  that  for 
which  it  labors — and  experience  shows  that  attach- 
ment to  Church  enterprises  naturally  tends  to 
bring  the  worker  into  the  closer  identification  of 
Church  membership.  So  the  history  of  perhaps 
every  Church  will  show  that  the  giving  charge  of  a 
Sunday-school  class  or  the  placing  in  some  position 


44        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

of  trust  in  the  Church  has  led  to  the  conversion  of 
many  of  those  placed  in  such  positions. 

II.  Because,  on  the  same  general  principle,  it  is 
a  means  of  retaining  members  in  the  Church. 

The  same  activity  which  draws  persons  into  the 
Church  is  calculated  to  hold  them  therein.  Activ- 
ity for,  augments  attachment  to  an  enterprise,  and, 
so  common  is  the  fact,  that  it  is  almost  self-evident 
that  to  preserve  interest  in  any  thing  nothing  is 
better  than  one's  having  something  to  do  for  it  and 
then  doing  it.  Many  a  man  may  date  the  decline 
of  his  devotion  to  his  Church  from  the  day  when  he 
began  to  diminish  his  participation  in  its  efforts, 
and,  on  the  other  hand,  the  freshness  of  many  a 
man's  love  has  been  maintained  by  his  co-operation 
in  the  work  of  the  Church.  Hence,  engaging  the 
young  in  Church  activities  will  be  a  bond  to  hold 
them  in  the  Church,  and  tend  to  prevent  the  great 
loss  of  power  occasioned  by  the  formal  or  actual 
withdrawment  of  great  numbers  of  young  persons 
who,  not  having  their  attention  engaged  by  the 
Church,  are  drawn  away  by  the  magnet  of  counter- 
attractions. 


Co-operation  of  the  Young.  45 

III.  Because,  in  order  to  fully  accomplish  its  mis- 
sion, the  Church  needs  the  exertion  of  every  parti- 
cle of  its  available  power, 

It  will  be  taken  for  granted  that  if  the  young 
cannot  do  much  good,  their  attempt  in  that  direc- 
tion is  not  likely  to  do  any  harm.  But  it  will  ac- 
complish something,  for  the  very  attempt  must,  at 
least,  effect  a  negative  good  in  showing  others  that 
they  are  on  the  right  side.  No  matter  how  trifling 
their  power  may  seem,  yet,  if  they  have  only  a  frac- 
tion of  force,  the  Church  cannot  afford  to  have  it 
wasted  in  disuse. 

IV.  Because  youth  possesses  in  a  large  degree 
the  elements  of  energy  and  enthusiasm  so  essential 
for  successful  effort  on  the  part  of  any  human  or- 
ganization. In  no  other  period  of  life  are  these 
elements  present  in  so  large  a  proportion  ;  and 
these  important  requisites  for  the  execution  of  great 
purposes  should  be  utilized  at  the  earliest  moment. 
Especially  is  it  important  that  the  Church  avail  it- 
self of  their  force  at  once,  because  there  is  so  much 
in  the  world  that  tends  to  turn  it  in  the  wrong  di- 
rection and  for  the  furtherance  of  evil  objects,  and 


46        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

because  in  early  life  they  are  most  easily  drawn  to 
one  side  or  the  other. 

John  Foster  has  pictured  youth  as  an  electric 
machine,  generating  energy  and  constantly  charged 
with  this  forceful  element.  He  remarks  :  "  How 
precious  a  thing  is  youthful  energy  if  only  it  could 
be  preserved,  entirely  englobed,  as  it  were,  within 
the  bosom  of  the  young  adventurer,  till  he  can  come 
and  offer  it  forth  a  sacred  emanation  in  yonder  tem- 
ple of  truth  and  virtue  !  But,  alas  !  all  along,  as  he 
goes  toward  it,  he  advances  through  an  avenue 
formed  by  a  long  line  of  tempters  and  demons  on 
each  side,  all  prompt  to  touch  him  with  their  con- 
ductors, and  draw  this  divine  electric  element,  with 
which  he  is  charged,  away." 

This  force  will  be  evolved  and  thrown  along  the 
line  either  of  good  or  of  evil.  It  is  too  precious  to 
be  wasted,  and  too  powerful  to  be  permitted  to  give 
potency  to  evil  purposes.  The  Church  should  pro- 
tect this  power,  but  the  only  way  to  prevent  its 
perversion  to  sin  is  to  direct  it  in  the  line  of  duty 
and  in  the  way  of  righteousness. 

The  Church  must  touch  the  young  with  the  con- 


Co-operation  of  the  Young.  47 

ductor  of  its  influence,  and  cause  the  force  of  this 
ethereal  electricity  to  flow  in  proper  channels  for 
the  advantage  of  the  Church,  the  advancement  of 
the  cause  of  God,  and  the  best  interests  of  human- 
ity. When  the  Church  shall  effectually  utilize 
youthful  energy  and  enthusiasm  their  force  will 
give  new  strength  and  success  to  Christian  enter- 
prise, and  a  grander  era  will  dawn  upon  the  relig- 
ious world. 

V.  Because  youth  is  the  period  in  which  it  is 
easiest  to  persuade  persons  to  engage  in  earnest 
enterprise. 

1.  Because  their  very  nature  impels  to  energetic 
action.  It  is  the  time  when  the  warm  blood  courses 
rapidly  through  the  system  and  urges  the  whole 
man  to  effort,  and  hence  it  is  that  the  young  de- 
light in  activity,  and  scarcely  any  punishment  is  to 
them  so  painful  as  enforced  quiet.  The  Church  may 
and  should  take  advantage  of  this  characteristic  of 
youth,  and,  availing  itself  of  this  natural  desire  for 
action,  win  to  its  assistance  this  willingness  for 
work. 

2.  Because,  unlike  age,  youth  is  not  so  securely 


48       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

bound  by  strong  and  long-continued  habits.  Those 
of  more  advanced  age  find  that  they  are  held  by 
habits  of  many  years,  and  that  it  is  only  with  great 
difficulty  that  they  can  free  themselves.  Youth, 
not  being  so  firmly  fastened,  can  more  easily  shake 
off  these  shackles.  Hence  there  is  not  the  same 
difficulty  in  prevailing  on  young  people  to  enter 
upon  some  new  line  of  effort,  and  in  this  advantage 
there  is  encouragement  to  seek  their  assistance  in 
religious  activities. 

3.  Because  youth  has  but  a  minimum  proportion 
of  that  reserve  and  caution  which,  in  after  life, 
trammels  in,  or  restrains  from,  new  forms  of  action. 
This  caution  grows  with  age.  This  general  disin- 
clination becomes  stronger  each  day,  so  that  the 
more  mature  man  recoils  from  the  venture  which 
in  his  younger  days  he  would  have  boldly  attempted. 

This  is,  probably,  as  it  should  be  ;  but  our  ob- 
ject is  not  to  discuss  the  philosophy,  but  merely  to 
present  the  practical  fact,  namely,  that  the  young 
have  less  of  that  timidity  or  caution  which  restrains 
from  untried  efforts,  so  that  they  are  more  easily 
persuaded   to   engage   in   new  ventures,   and   that, 


Co-operation  of  the  Young.  49 

therefore,  the  Church  should  avail  itself  of  such 
opportunity  of  obtaining  willing  workers  from 
among  the  young  before  the  timidity  of  caution 
throws  its  coils  around  them. 

4.  Because  youth  is  the  time  when  life  is  freest 
from  family  and  business  cares,  and  other  entangle- 
ments which  so  often,  in  the  case  of  older  persons, 
prevent  power  from  being  used  in  general  religious 
efforts.  So  much  force  is  there  in  the  fact  that 
usually  the  young  people  have  more  leisure  for 
Church  work,  that  it  might  be  maintained  that  the 
most  of  it  must  be  done  by  the  young  or  be  left 
unperformed  ;  but  it  is  enough  to  know  that  the 
nature  and  circumstances  of  the  young  make  it  eas- 
ier to  persuade  them  to  the  performance  of  new 
effort,  and  that  in  view  of  this  facility  the  Church 
should  endeavor  to  make  them  a  part  of  its  aggress- 
ive army. 

VI.  The  young  people  should  be  called  into  ac- 
tion because  of  the  conservative  effect  of  religious 
activity  upon  the  spiritual  life  and  the  religious 
character. 

The  same  law  that  necessitates  exercise  for  the 
4 


50       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

preservation  of  physical  life  applies  also  to  the 
higher  region  of  the  moral.  Inaction  tends  to 
death  in  the  realm  of  the  spiritual  as  well  as  the 
physical.  As  bodily  exercise  is  preservative  of  bod- 
ily health,  so  doing  good,  through  Christian  activi- 
ties, is  promotive  of  a  healthy  religious  state.  Not 
a  few  who  were  vigorous  Christians  while  they  took 
part  in  Church  work  lost  their  spiritual  life  when 
they  subsided  into  inaction.  The  lesson  is  plain. 
Young  as  well  as  old  Christians  must  engage  in 
religious  activities  as  a  means  of  preserving  their 
spirituality. 

VII.  Because  it  is  necessary  for  the  development 
of  their  religious  faculties.  As  action  is  necessary 
for  the  preservation  of  life  and  health,  so  also  is  it 
necessary  for  the  development  of  strength. 

There  is  no  healthy  physical  growth  without  ex- 
ercise ;  so,  for  moral  growth,  there  must  be  moral 
activity.  Without  physical  exercise  the  body  would 
remain  puny  and  the  man  be  but  an  overgrown 
babe,  even  if  a  feeble  life  did  linger  ;  so,  even  if 
spiritual  life  might  remain  without  exercise,  the 
spiritual  nature  must  lack  strength  and  symmetrical 


Co-operation  of  the  Young.  51 

development  unless  it  be  called  into  judicious  ac- 
tivity. Many  have  grown  in  grace  while  actively 
engaged  in  the  Church,  who  have  suffered  diminu- 
tion in  spiritual  power  and  have  steadily  declined  as 
they  ceased  to  exert  themselves,  until  they  have 
become  but  the  ghostly  skeletons  of  their  former 
moral  manhood. 

The  best  development  begins  in  youth  ;  and  so, 
if  we  are  to  have  a  strong  and  symmetrical  devel- 
opment of  the  spiritual  powers,  the  process  should 
begin  in  early  life,  and,  as  the  efficient  means  of 
development  is  action,  young  Christians  should  be 
taught  at  an  early  stage  of  their  experience  to  en- 
gage earnestly  in  Christian  activities. 

VIII.  Because  it  is  an  excellent  training  process, 
which  will  fit  them  for  future  triumphs. 

We  have  referred  to  Christian  activity  as  a  con- 
servator of  spiritual  life  and  as  a  means  of  moral 
development.  It  is  equally  true  that  it  gives  skill 
as  well  as  strength.  One  may  have  power  but  not 
know  how  to  apply  it  to  advantage.  A  man  may 
have  rugged  strength,  but  possess  little  skill  in  its 
use. 


52        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

In  the  gymnasium,  while  he  adds  to  his  vigor 
by  exercise,  he  gains  flexibility  and  elasticity, 
and  gradually  brings  eye,  nerve,  and  muscle  in 
subjection  and  ready  response  to  his  will.  So 
the  daily  occupation  of  the  mechanic  gives  him 
greater  ease  and  expertness  in  the  performance  of 
his  tasks. 

The  advantage  of  early  discipline  is  a  principle 
which  applies  to  Church  work  as  well  as  to  other 
forms  of  activity.  Here,  as  well  as  elsewhere,  prac- 
tice perfects.  Even  if  young  people  cannot  accom- 
plish great  immediate  results — even  if  they  cannot 
accomplish  any  thing  by  their  present  attempts — 
yet  their  engaging  in  early  effort  will  pay,  because 
it  is  promotive  of  future  perfection.  As  a  training- 
school,  it  will  give  them  skill  and  success  here- 
after. 

These  early  efforts  are  very  valuable,  at  least,  for 
what  they  will  make  of  the  novices  in  the  near  fu- 
ture. They  are  the  Church  of  the  future.  What 
they  become  the  Church  of  the  future  will  be  ;  and 
what  they  will  be  depends  largely  upon  their  youth- 
ful development.     Before  many  days  they  will  be 


Co-operation  of  the  Young.  53 

the  managers,  and  their  skill  and  success  in  the 
years  to  come  will  depend  materially  upon  the 
present  direction  of  their  present  powers. 

Therefore,  in  view  of  these  facts  and  many  others, 
it  is  evident  that  if  the  Church  does  not  set  its 
young  people  to  work  it  loses  its  best  opportunity 
for  employing  a  large  number  in  Christian  activities, 
for  attaching  the  young  to  the  Church,  for  devel- 
oping strong  and  symmetrical  Christian  characters, 
and  for  training  the  future  leaders  ;  while  it  also 
loses  the  freshness,  energy,  and  enthusiasm  which 
are  found  most  abundantly  in  youth,  and  which  are 
essential  to  success.  But,  going  one  step  further, 
we  claim — 

IX.  That  the  young  people  should  be  encouraged 
to  engage  in  Church  action  because  there  is  work 
they  can  do. 

But  before  we  briefly  discuss  this  point,  and  in- 
dicate some  kinds  of  Church  work  which  the  young 
can  perform,  it  must  be  observed  that  there  is  too 
much  skepticism  in  regard  to  the  capability  of 
young  people  for  such  service,  and  that  this  skep- 
ticism, on  the  part  of  influential  individuals,  some- 


54       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

times  results  in  very  objectionable  treatment  of  the 
youthful  workers. 

It  is  well  known  how  sadly  they  are  sometimes 
treated. 

When  a  young  person  offers  himself  for  Church 
service,  or  attempts  to  work  for  Christ,  he  is  too 
often  greeted  with  a  look  of  indifference,  an  incred- 
ulous smile,  a  contemptuous  remark  in  regard  to 
the  presumption  of  youth,  or  some  other  manifes- 
tation of  displeasure. 

So  it  was  when  young  David  expressed  his  right- 
eous indignation  at  the  defiance  of  Goliath,  and  in- 
timated his  willingness  to  meet  the  giant  in  personal 
combat.  He  was  treated  harshly,  and  rudely  re- 
pulsed by  his  own  elder  brother.  Thus  we  read 
that  "  Eliab's  anger  was  kindled  against  David,  and 
he  said,  Why  earnest  thou  down  hither?  " 

Similar  displeasure  is  manifested  at  what  some 
are  pleased  to  term  youthful  presumption,  and  now 
and  then  some  of  the  older  Church  members  re- 
buke the  young  Davids,  who  feel  that  there  is  some- 
thing they  can  and  ought  to  do,  and  are  anxious 
to  attempt. 


Co-operation  of  the  Young,  5  5 

Others,  who  have  little  confidence  in  the  capa- 
bility of  youth,  receive  the  young  volunteers  with 
an  incredulous  though  kindly  consideration,  and 
their  words  would  discourage  any  but  a  bold  and 
confident  spirit  as,  like  Saul  to  the  youthful  David, 
they  say  :  "  Thou  art  not  able  ...  for  thou  art 
but  a  youth."  Though  they  do  not  prevent  their 
£oine  into  the  conflict,  but  wish  them  well  and  are 
willing  to  assist  them,  yet  they  have  little  faith  in 
their  accomplishing  any  thing,  and  open  their  eyes 
in  amazement  when  the  young  do  succeed. 

Then,  on  the  part  of  the  hosts  of  evil,  a  corre- 
sponding feeling  is  manifested. 

Goliath  despised  the  approaching  David  because 
of  his  youth.  So  the  Goliaths  of  wickedness  be- 
hold the  advance  of  the  young  Christian  with  a 
feeling  of  disdain,  curse  his  presumption,  and  meet 
him  with  a  laugh  of  derision ;  yet,  not  unfrequently, 
many  a  giant  evil  falls  under  the  blow  of  some 
Christian  David  who  is  but  a  youth. 

This  incredulousness,  this  displeasure,  and  this 
disdain,  spring  from  misconceptions  of  youth,  and 
the  work  to   be  done.      Hence    the   objections  to 


$6        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

youthful  workers  have  a  defective  basis,  and   are 
unsubstantial  and  worthless. 
It  is  objected — 

1.  That  the  young  have  insufficient  talents.  So 
David  seemed  insufficient  to  meet  Goliath,  yet  he 
overthrew  the  giant.  Indeed,  when  we  consider 
the  tremendous  power  of  evil  there  is  apparent  in- 
sufficiency in  every  individual — old  or  young;  yet 
notwithstanding  the  seeming  incompetency  victory 
comes  to  the  right.  In  this  conflict  it  is  to  be  re- 
membered that  there  is  an  unseen  ally.  It  should 
not  be  forgotten  that  God  is  with  the  right,  whether 
defended  by  old  or  young,  and  that  the  strength  of 
the  Omnipotent  more  than  makes  up  for  human 
deficiency.     "The  battle  is  the  Lord's." 

2.  It  is  objected  that  the  young  have  at  their 
disposal  very  inadequate  instrumentalities.  It  is 
thought  that,  no  matter  what  may  be  their  natural 
powers,  the  means  within  their  reach  are  but  tri- 
fling compared  with  the  results  to  be  secured.  The 
young  are  neither  learned  nor  logical,  wise  nor  elo- 
quent, and  it  is  presumed  that  if  they  chance  to 
possess  other  good  qualities  even  these  are  neutral- 


Co-operation  of  the  Young.  57 

ized  by  the  crudities  of  youth.  But  insignificant 
instrumentalities  may  be  sufficient  if  properly  di- 
rected. David  went  forth  against  the  mailed  giant, 
not  with  the  soldier's  sword  but  with  the  shep- 
herd's sling.  It  was  only  a  little  pebble  from  the 
brook  that  he  hurled,  but  it  killed  Goliath  just  as 
effectually  as  if  he  had  been  crushed  by  a  battering- 
ram.  David  was  skillful  in  slinging  the  small  stone. 
So  a  little  power  properly  used  may  be  very  effect- 
ive— a  little  word  or  deed,  a  short  sentence  or  brief 
utterance,  wisely  used,  may  prove  adequate  to  a 
great  demand.  Indeed,  most  of  the  moral  effects 
in  the  world  are  produced  by  the  seemingly  small 
rather  than  by  apparently  important  agencies. 

3.  Objection  is  made  on  the  ground  of  the  inex- 
perience of  youth.  It  may  be  said  that  even  if  they 
have  sufficient  strength  and  the  right  means,  yet 
they  lack  experience.  It  will  be  admitted  that  the 
experienced  can  do  more  than  the  inexperienced, 
but  it  does  not  follow  that  the  inexperienced  can- 
not do  any  thing.  David  was  a  raw  recruit,  yet  he 
gained  a  great  victory.  Besides,  experience  is  not 
always  a  matter  of  years.     Some  acquire  more  in 


58        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

one  year  than  others  do  in  ten.  But  the  most 
thoroughly  trained  never  would  have  gained  experi- 
ence had  they  not  begun  to  act  when  they  were 
without  it.  Experience  comes  only  by  service. 
The  old  would  always  have  remained  inexperienced 
had  they  not  engaged  in  activities ;  so  the  young 
can  become  experienced  only  by  attempting  and 
doing ;  and,  therefore,  their  inexperience  is  a  rea- 
son for,  rather  than  against,  their  engaging  in  Chris- 
tian activities. 

Mr.  Spurgeon  states  the  point  quaintly  but  forci- 
bly when  he  says : 

"  If  a  young  man  is  rough  in  his  Christian  ef- 
forts, if  he  does  murder  the  queen's  English,  let  him 
not  be  checked  ;  let  all  have  a  turn.  There  is  so 
much  ammunition  that  if  a  man  hits  the  target  but 
once  out  of  ten  times,  let  him  have  a  shot.  I  am 
always  for  saying  to  every  body  in  the  Church, 
'Just  as  sure  as  you  love  Christ,  do  something 
for  him ;  there  is  a  niche  for  you.'  I  believe 
that  some  of  the  best  ministers  were  led  to  be 
come  ministers  of  the  Gospel  by  being  permitted 
to  say  a  little  at  a  meeting,  when   somebody  has 


Co-operation  of  the  Young.  59 

remarked,  '  I  wonder  they  allowed  the  fool  of  a 
young  man  to  say  any  thing.'  Why,  if  they  had 
not  allowed  some  of  them  to  make  fools  of  them- 
selves, they  never  would  have  made  any  thing  of 
themselves." 

These  objections  do  not  constitute  a  sufficient 
reason  for  opposition  or  indifference  to,  or  con- 
tempt for,  young  people's  work.  But,  even  if  there 
was  abstract  force  in  such  negative  objections,  it 
would  be  completely  overcome  by  positive  facts  in 
favor  of  the  ability  of  youth  to  do  good  work  in  the 
service  of  the  Church. 

In  passing,  it  may  be  remarked,  at  least  as  an 
item  of  interest,  if  not  a  conclusive  argument,  that 
it  is  a  fact  well  known  to  biblical  critics  that  the 
Hebrew  word  which  means  a  chosen  person  is  the 
same  word  which  is  commonly  used  throughout  the 
Hebrew  Bible  to  signify  a  young  person  ;  as  though 
the  sacred  Scriptures  would,  even  in  this  particular, 
teach  us  that  young  persons  are  chosen  persons — 
that  God  has  selected  them  to  aid  in  the  execution 
of  his  work. 

The  word  is  *vin3,  (bakhur.)      Gesenius  thus   de- 


60        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

fines  it :  "  A  youth,  a  young  man  ;  pr.,  a  chosen 
youth,  i.  e.j  choice,  one  in  the  prime  of  manhood  ; 
spec,  young  men  for  young  warriors."  From  "ins, 
{bakhar)  to  choose,  to  select.  Eden,  in  "  Church 
Dictionary,"  referring  to  this  word  says,  "  Singled 
out  from  others  to  some  honorable  service  or  sta- 
tion. '  Chosen '  warriors  are  such  as  are  picked 
out  as  the  most  valiant  and  skillful  in  any  army,  or 
as  best  adapted  to  some  special  and  momentous 
enterprise." 

The  young  are  the  chosen.  Men  choose  the  old 
for  counsel,  but  select  the  young  for  action,  and 
God  calls  youth  to  religious  activity.  The  old  may 
plan,  the  young  can  execute. 

As  to  service  for  the  Church,  it  is  not  a  matter  of 
abstract  speculation  whether  young  people  can  do 
any  thing.  It  is  a  matter  of  fact  that  they  can. 
We  are,  therefore,  not  left  merely  to  deductions 
from  the  demands  of  circumstances,  the  possession 
of  ability,  or  the  presence  of  opportunity;  for  youth 
has  actually  shown  its  power,  and  there  are  abun- 
dant data  which  demonstrate  that  the  young  can 
do   and    have   done   good   work   for  God   and   his 


Co-operation  of  the  Young.  61 

cause.  Hence  one  way  to  find  out  what  the  young 
may  do  will  be  to  inquire  what  they  have  per- 
formed. Such  an  inquiry  will  limit  us  to  facts 
rather  than  inference. 

The  facts  are  abundant,  but  we  presume  there  is 
no  necessity  for  our  doing  more  than  to  present  a 
few  special  instances  and  give  some  general  indica- 
tions, which  will  be  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  thought- 
ful, and  be  as  finger-boards  pointing  them  where, 
within  easy  reach,  they  may  find  many  similar  illus- 
trations. 


62        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 


CHAPTER  V. 

WHAT  THE  YOUNG  HAVE  DONE. 
A  FEW  minutes'  reflection  would  be  sufficient  to 
surprise  many  persons  with  a  revelation  of 
what  the  youth  of  the  Church  have  already  accom- 
plished, and  unveil  to  them  a  vision  of  the  greater 
possibilities  of  this  fresh  and  vigorous  element  in 
the  Christian  Church. 

The  work  of  the  young  people  may  be  seen  in 
the  Sunday-school,  in  the  general  work  of  the 
Church,  and  in  the  community  at  large.  In  the 
Sunday-school,  that  very  important  department  of 
the  Church,  they  have  probably  done  the  most  of 
the  work.  They  have  brought  scholars  into  the 
school,  they  have  recruited  the  ranks  of  the  teach- 
ers, they  have  done  duty  as  librarians,  they  have 
served  as  secretaries,  and  have  acted  in  various 
other  official  and  serviceable  capacities. 

In  the  more  comprehensive  work  of  the  Church 
they  have  been  useful  as  ushers  and  collectors,  they 


What  the  Young  have  Done.  63 

have  been  valuable  as  visitors  and  tract  distributors, 
and  frequently  they  perform  excellent  service  in 
sustaining  the  Church  music.  Here  and  there, 
where  encouraged,  they  are  heard  leading  in  prayer 
in  the  social  meetings.  They  have  been  instru- 
mental in  the  conversion  of  others.  Youthful  Da- 
vids have  overthrown  Goliaths  of  sin,  and  young 
maidens,  like  the  captive  maid  in  the  household  of 
the  Syrian  commander,  have  been  the  means  of 
bringing  the  great  ones  of  earth  to  a  saving  knowl- 
edge of  the  true  God. 

Even  little  children  have  done  much  good  in 
leading  both  young  and  old  to  the  Christly  life,  and 
in  this  sense  it  is  often  true  that  "  a  little  child 
shall  lead  them." 

As  an  illustration  of  what  even  a  little  child  may 
accomplish,  we  will  cite  an  instance.  During  the 
recent  civil  war  a  little  Philadelphia  girl  wrote  the 
following : 

"To  some  sick  soldier  in  the  hospital  at  Nashville: 

"  My  Dear  Soldier  :  I  send  you  a  little  Testa- 
ment.    I  am  a  little  girl  seven  years  old.     I  want  to 


64       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

do  something  for  the  soldiers  who  do  so  much  for 
us ;  so  I  have  saved  my  pocket  money  to  send  you 
this.  Although  I  have  never  seen  you,  I  intend  to 
pray  that  God  will  make  and  keep  you  good.  Oh, 
how  sorry  I  am  that  you  have  to  leave  your  dear 
mother !  Did  she  cry  when  you  bade  her  good- 
bye? Do  you  kneel  down  and  say  your  prayers? 
If  I  were  you  I  would  not  care  if  other  soldiers  did 
laugh.  God  will  smile  upon  you.  I  am  sorry,  very 
sorry,  that  you  are  sick.  I  wish  that  I  could  go  and 
nurse  you.  I  would  bathe  your  head  and  read  to 
you.  Do  you  know  the  little  hymn,  '  There  is  a 
happy  land?'  I  hope  you  will  go  to  that  land  when 
you  die.  But,  remember,  I  will  pray  that  you  may 
get  well  again.  When  you  are  able  to  sit  up,  I 
wish  you  to  write  to  me  and  tell  me  all  your  troub- 
les. I  live  at  number  —  North  cjth-street,  Phila. 
Good-bye. 

"Your  friend,  L.  S." 

This  letter  fell  into  the  hands  of  S.  L.  N.,  of  the 
Fourth  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  by  it  he  was  led  to 
Jesus.     In  his  answer  to  the  child's  letter,  he  said  : 


What  the  Young  have  Done.  65 

'■  I  trust  your  letter  will  be  one  of  the  means  of 
converting  others  as  well  as  the  receiver.  May  God 
bless  you!"  So  this  little  letter  from  a  little  girl 
led  to  the  conversion  of  a  man  who  became  a  Sun- 
day-school superintendent  and  an  earnest  Christian 
worker,  who  has,  during  subsequent  years,  been  in- 
strumental in  the  conversion  of  many  souls ;  and 
thus  the  good  influences  of  the  little  deed  continue 
to  radiate  and  to  bless  many  hearts. 

There  are  many  facts  on  record  which  illustrate 
and  demonstrate  the  ability  of  young  persons  to 
successfully  engage  in  various  kinds  of  Christian 
effort,  but  so  well  and  so  generally  are  these  known 
that  it  seems  superfluous  to  cite  further  proof  by 
presenting  other  incidents  in  regard  to  individual 
workers. 

But  it  should  be  observed  that  not  only  is  there 
now  and  then  an  isolated  individual  who  is  capable 
of  such  action,  but  there  are  also  numerous  in- 
stances demonstrating  that  the  young  can  be  organ- 
ized for  effective  work. 

A  few  cases  will  be  sufficient  to  show  their  capa- 
bility for  judicious  and  efficient  organization. 
5 


66       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

It  is  well  known  that  young  people  have  accom- 
plished very  much  through  the  many  Young  Men's 
and  Young  Women's  Christian  Associations  of  the 
land. 

In  the  temperance  movement,  young  people's 
societies,  such  as  the  Cadets  of  Temperance,  the 
Cold  Water  Templars,  etc.,  have  evinced  an  effi- 
ciency which  compares  favorably  with  the  efforts  of 
adult  associations. 

The  Juvenile  Missionary  Societies  of  the  Churches 
have  raised  vast  amounts  of  money  for  the  spread 
of  Christianity,  and  the  Church  would  not  now  be 
willing  to  dispense  with  this  source  of  supply  to  its 
missionary  treasury.  One  of  the  best  benevolent 
societies  with  which  we  have  been  acquainted  was 
an  association  of  a  few  young  girls. 

Feeling  that  there  was  good  to  be  done  which 
they  should  try  to  do,  they  organized  themselves 
into  a  "  Try  Company,"  and  made  the  attempt. 
Besides  contributing  from  their  own  resources,  they 
obtained  from  others  donations  of  money,  clothing, 
and  other  requisites.  They  visited  the  sick  and 
poor,  and  distributed  clothing,  food,  and  fuel,  while 


What  the  Young  have  Done.  6j 

they  helped  pay  the  rent  of  the  worthy  poor,  and 
even  employed  a  physician  to  attend  the  sick. 
The  society  has  now  been  in  existence  seven  years. 
Throughout  these  years,  though  their  affairs  have 
been  on  a  comparatively  small  scale,  still  they  have 
managed  their  matters  with  as  much  wisdom  as 
societies  which  from  the  beginning  were  controlled 
by  adults.  The  girls  have  become  young  ladies, 
but  they  still  continue  their  benevolent  operations. 
Their  last  annual  report  shows  over  two  hundred 
visits  made  and  over  two  hundred  dollars  disbursed. 

One  fact  more  may  be  added.  The  splendid 
Roman  Catholic  Church  of  the  Immaculate  Con- 
ception, in  Boston,  had  its  final  debt  of  thirty  thou- 
sand dollars  canceled  by  what  was  called  "  The 
Church  Debt  Society."  The  members  paid  twenty- 
five  cents  per  month,  and,  there  being  a  member- 
ship of  three  thousand,  this  gave  an  annual  income 
of  nine  thousand  dollars.  But  the  point  of  present 
application  is  that  the  stipends  of  twenty-five  cents 
which  aggregated  this  large  sum  were  gathered  by 
a  corps  of  youthful  collectors. 

These  cases  are  only  a  few  out  of  many,  and  but 


68        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

hints  in  the  direction  of  what  the  young  people 
have  done  and  may  do.  Such  facts  ought  to  be 
sufficient  to  convince  the  most  skeptical  that  there 
is  work  the  young  have  done,  and  that  they  are 
competent  to  perform  many  varieties  of  Church 
effort.  Indeed,  of  many  a  youth  it  may  be  said,  in 
the  language  of  Shakspeare,  "  He  hath  borne  him- 
self beyond  the  promise  of  his  age  ;  doing,  in  the 
figure  of  a  lamb,  the  feats  of  a  lion  ;  he  hath,  in- 
deed, bettered  expectation." 

Facts  show  that  these  efficient  efforts  of  youth 
need  not  be  so  exceptional  as  some  may  have 
thought,  and,  indeed,  that  they  have  been  more 
abundant  than  is  generally  supposed.  Their  indi- 
vidual, and  also  their  organized,  efforts  show  that 
their  capabilities  and  possibilities  are  very  great, 
and,  that  to  produce  better  and  more  extensive 
results,  they  only  need  the  Church  to  encourage 
and  properly  direct  their  energies. 


The  Nature  of  Young  People's  Work.  69 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  NATURE  OF  YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  WORK. 

np^HE  previous  remarks  indicate  some  spheres  in 
which  the  young  can  be  useful.  A  few  gen- 
eral principles  in  reference  to  the  nature  of  their 
work  may  now  be  given. 

From  data  already  alluded  to  it  is  evident  that 
as  far  as  ability  for  action  goes,  the  young  people 
have,  in  a  degree,  the  same  qualities  as  are  pos- 
sessed by  their  seniors.  Their  ability  to  speak  and 
sing,  to  read  and  pray,  gives  them  power  to  enter 
many  avenues  of  usefulness  both  in  public  and  in 
private. 

In  the  social  services  of  the  sanctuary  they  can 
take  leading  as  well  as  subordinate  parts.  Their 
musical  talents  are  available  in  the  Sunday-school 
and  in  the  preaching  services.  Sometimes  this 
power  is  partially  utilized  by  having  the  Sunday- 
school  introduce  its  special  song  during  the  worship 
of  the  Sabbath  congregation. 


yo       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

There  is  also  considerable  advantage  in  having 
a  choir  composed  largely  of  young  persons.  A 
young  people's  choir  is  more  economical  and  usu- 
ally more  satisfactory  than  an  artistic  quartette. 
The  voices  are  young  and  fresh,  the  singers  delight 
in  their  work,  and  it  increases  their  attachment  to 
the  Church,  while  at  the  same  time  it  affords  plea- 
sure to  their  families  and  friends. 

In  private  circles  the  young  can  converse  on  the 
subject  of  religion,  can  become  Bible  readers,  and 
can  bring  joy  to  sad  hearts  by  singing  the  songs  of 
salvation. 

As  visitors  they  are  certainly  competent  to  visit 
persons  of  their  own  age,  and  there  can  be  little 
doubt  that  their  calls  will  be  acceptable  even  to 
those  who  have  lost  the  vigor  and  vivacity  of  their 
vernal  years. 

Though  young  people  may  not  be  able  to  work 
as  thoroughly  or  present  as  perfect  results,  yet  it  is 
apparent  that  they  possess  qualities  which  give 
them  capability  for  almost  any  form  of  Church 
work  that  older  persons  perform.  Indeed,  so  very 
little  is  there  that  the  elderly  do  that  the  young 


The  Nature  of  Young  People's  Work.  7 1 

people  cannot  perform,  that  it  may  seem  a  mistake 
to  discriminate»between  the  work  of  the  young  and 
of  those  farther  advanced  in  years.  And  because 
of  the  fact  that  there  is  scarcely  any  thing  which 
the  more  mature  can  do  that  youth  cannot,  it  is 
difficult  and  indeed  impossible  to  write  compre- 
hensively in  regard  to  the  work  of  the  young  with- 
out presenting  points  which  apply  equally  well  to 
their  seniors. 

While  there  cannot  be  a  decided  distinction 
drawn  between  their  lines  of  work,  there  is,  how- 
ever, this  general  difference,  that  the  chief  charac- 
teristic of  young  people's  work  will  be  activity 
rather  than  accuracy.  It  will  be  that  which  re- 
quires action  and  energy  rather  than  maturity  of 
thought  or  ripeness  of  judgment,  and,  therefore, 
though  there  will  be  little  if  any  essential  distinc- 
tion in  the  lines  of  action,  the  result  of  their  labors 
may  differ  in  degree  and  be  unequal  in  quality. 

But  they  can  do  in  kind  if  not  in  degree,  and  the 
difference  will  not  be  so  much  as  to  the  nature  of 
the  effort  as  the  degree  of  perfection  in  the  results. 

Who  would  think  that  boys  could  do  the  work 


72        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

of  veterans  ?  Yet  history  relates  that  they  have 
taken  their  places  beside  them,  and  have  done 
similar  service. 

When  Paris  was  besieged  by  the  allied  armies,  in 
1 8 14,  boys,  principally  of  twelve  or  fifteen  years  of 
age,  pupils  of  the  Polytechnic  School,  served  the 
Parisian  artillery  on  the  heights  of  Montmarte. 

These  boys  fought  beside,  and  did  the  work  of, 
experienced  soldiers.  Though  minors,  yet  having 
skill,  they  courageously  took  their  place  with  vet- 
erans, and  rivaled  them  in  ardor.  By  a  well-di- 
rected fire  they  filled  the  approaches  with  the  dead 
bodies  of  the  enemy,  and,  with  enthusiastic  valor, 
stood  by  their  post  as  long  as  it  was  possible  to 
hold  it.  In  the  struggle  several  hundreds  of  these 
youths  sacrificed  their  lives  on  the  altar  of  their 
country. 

So  if  the  young  soldiers  of  the  Cross  are  trained, 
and  their  heroic  spirit  aroused,  they,  too,  will  battle 
for  the  right  as  valiantly  as  veterans.  Let  the 
Church  instruct  and  train  them,  and  call  them  to 
the  front,  and  they  will  respond  right  heartily,  and 
do  brave  and  effective  service. 


The  Nature  of  Young  People's  Work.  73 

The  Church  has  had  its  era  of  almost  exclusively 
clerical  labor,  when  only  the  clergy  were  expected 
to  discharge  these  duties ;  in  recent  days  it  has 
made  a  decided  advance  in  the  matter  of  lay  co- 
operation, and  now  the  period  of  young  people's 
effort  has  already  been  inaugurated.  What  is 
needed  is  a  more  general  recognition  of  the  fact 
that  youth  can  be  utilized  for  Church  service,  that 
the  co-operation  of  the  young  will  have  great  value, 
and  that  its  procurement  and  proper  management 
is  exceedingly  important ;  and,  then,  with  this  rec- 
ognition, a  more  general,  hopeful,  and  persistent 
effort  to  develop  this  latent  force  into  well-directed 
activity. 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  plan  for  this 
youthful  element,  to  organize  the  workers,  and  to 
assign  them  to  fields  of  labor. 


74       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

HOW  TO  SECURE  THEIR  CO-OPERATION. 

T  F,  then,  there  is  Church  work  which  young  peo- 
ple can  do,  the  question  now  to  be  considered 
is,  How  to  get  them  to  attempt  that  which  they  may 
accomplish. 

In  developing  power  in  the  line  of  Christian  ac- 
tivity, there  are  two  points  to  be  gained,  namely, 
the  production  of  quantity  and  also  of  quality  ;  or, 
in  other  words,  the  procuring  of  the  greatest  num- 
ber of  workers  and  the  securing  of  the  highest  ex- 
cellence in  their  effort. 

Naturally  the  first  inquiry  is  as  to  quantity; 
hence,  the  first  question  for  consideration  is,  How 
to  induce  the  young  people  to  engage  in  Church 
activities. 

In  regard  to  this  matter  of  calling  the  young  into 
action,  the  ancient  direction  for  cooking  a  hare  may 
not  be  out  of  place.  It  ran  thus  :  "  To  cook  a  hare 
— first,  catch  the  hare."     So,  to  prepare  young  peo- 


How  to  Secure  their  Co-operation.  75 

pie  to  engage  in  Church  work,  first  get  the  young 
people.  To  organize  youth  for  efficient  service, 
first  have  the  young  people,  then  persuade  them  to 
be  willing  to  work,  and  then  induce  them  to  submit 
to  organization. 

A  Church  without  a  fair  proportion  of  young 
people  is  in  a  deplorable  condition.  It  is  like  a 
stream  drying  up  at  its  source.  It  is  like  a  tree,  in- 
jured at  the  root,  withering  and  becoming  unfruitful. 
It  is  a  decay  which  is  the  premonition  of  death. 

The  Church  which  has  promise  for  the  future  is 
the  one  that  has  many  young  people.  They  are 
the  source  of  supply.  They  make  up  for  loss  by 
wear  and  waste.  They  fill  the  places  of  those  who 
have  gone  on  the  retired  list  of  the  Church  militant, 
or  who  have  ascended  to  the  Church  triumphant. 
Hence,  a  large  share  of  attention  should  be  given  to 
the  youth  in  the  school  and  in  the  congregation. 
When  a  Church  discovers  that  it  is  losing  its  hold 
upon  the  young  it  should  at  once  realize  its  danger, 
take  alarm,  discover  the  cause,  and  immediately 
seek  and  apply  the  remedy. 

By  watchful  care  it  should  retain  the  children  of 


76       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

the  Church  as  they  grow  up  from  childhood,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  by  personal  effort  and  by  present- 
ing a  desirable  church,  attract  and  attach  other 
young  people  to  its  interests,  and  keep  them  under 
its  precious  influences. 

Presuming  that  a  Church  possesses  the  young 
people,  the  point  now  is,  how  to  convince  the  young 
persons  in  the  Church  and  congregation  of  their 
duty,  and  how  to  persuade  them  to  its  performance. 

How  may  they  be  persuaded? 

Many  methods  might  be  proposed,  but  we  need 
only  pause  to  present  a  few  prominent  points. 

I.  The  pastor,  or  whoever  would  secure  the  co- 
operation of  the  young  people  in  Church  work,  must 
first  win  their  respect  and  affection. 

There  is  a  potent  persuasiveness  in  personal  in- 
fluence, and  youthful  natures  will  rally  around  those 
for  whom  they  have  real  regard.  When  they  have 
a  loving  respect  for  him  who  calls  for  their  service, 
then  are  they  prepared  to  perceive  the  truth,  to 
receive  direction,  and  to  decide  upon  the  discharge 
of  duty. 

This  affectionate  regard  may  be  created  by  pay- 


How  to  Secure  their  Co-operation.  yy 

ing  them  marked  attention,  by  manifesting  sympa- 
thy with  their  young  natures,  by  taking  an  active 
interest  in  their  welfare,  and  loving  them  as  he 
would  have  them  love  him.  By  so  doing,  instead 
of  repelling,  he  will  draw  them  to  him,  and  then, 
having  gained  their  confidence,  he  may  soon  secure 
their  service. 

II.  He  must  demonstrate  to  them  that  there  is  a 
work  which  they  can  perform. 

Human  nature  will  not  attempt  that  which  it 
believes  utterly  impossible.  Hence,  one  of  the  first 
things  to  be  done  is  to  show  the  young  that  there 
is  something  they  can  do.  The  feeling  of  incom- 
petence must  be  destroyed,  and  he  who  would 
enlist  the  young  people  in  effort  should  seek  to 
create  in  them  confidence  in  their  own  capabilities. 
He  must  encourage  them  to  believe  in  their  own 
powers  and  possibilities,  if  he  would  have  a  reason- 
able hope  of  arousing  them  to  action. 

This  may  be  accomplished  by  kindly  discussions 
of  duty,  by  frequently  indicating  opportunities,  and 
especially  by  showing  them  something  specific  ;  for 
when   something   they  can   do   is  specifically  sug- 


78       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

gested  there  is  greater  certainty  of  their  attempting 
its  accomplishment. 

III.  When  they  are  convinced  that  there  are  op- 
portunities for  Christian  activity  which  they  should 
accept,  and  lines  of  work  in  which  they  have  ability 
to  succeed,  the  next  step  is  to  awaken  the  spirit  of 
Christian  zeal,  and  develop  a  desire  for  the  dis- 
charge of  such  duty. 

This  can  be  attained  by  a  variety  of  means,  a  few 
of  which  may  be  mentioned. 

i.  By  the  presentation  of  an  earnest  example.  The 
leader  must  be  a  worker  if  he  would  induce  others 
to  toil. 

Personal  example  is  infectious.  Wherever  the 
worker  moves  his  activity  carries  contagion  and 
affects  those  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  We 
do  not  mean  that  he  must  be  fussy  and  forever  in  a 
flutter,  for  some  of  the  most  efficient  men  are  calm 
and  self-possessed  in  demeanor;  but  he  must  be  in- 
dustrious, for  a  lazy  man  is  not  likely  to  lead  others 
in  the  line  of  action. 

2.  By  stimulating  to  activity  by  recitals  of  what 
others  have  accomplished. 


How  to  Secure  their  Co-operation.  79 

The  triumphs  of  others  will  fire  their  hearts  with 
a  glow  of  encouragement  as  to  their  own  possibili- 
ties, and  generate  a  thrill  of  pleasurable  emulation 
which  may  move  them  to  go  and  do  likewise. 

3.  By  securing  the  quickening  of  the  spiritual  na- 
ture and  the  invigoraiion  of  the  religious  life. 

There  is  no  better  means  than  this.  Where  the 
Spirit  of  Christ  is  there  is  the  spirit  of  Christian 
activity.  Hence,  Christianity  is  an  aggressive  relig- 
ion. As  Christ  came  "to  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  was  lost,"  so  the  impulse  of  the  Christly  heart 
sends  the  disciple  out  "  to  seek  and  to  save." 
Hence  is  it  a  matter  of  common  observation  that 
the  young  convert  seeks  something  to  do  for  his 
fellows  and  his  Master ;  and  hence  is  it  found  that 
when  the  revival  spirit  rules. workers  rapidly  multi- 
ply ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  that  in  proportion  to 
the  decrease  of  spiritual  force  in  a  Church  is  the 
diminution  of  its  Christian  activity. 

Paul,  writing  to  the  Corinthians  relates  of  the 
Churches  of  Macedonia  (2  Cor.  viii,  5)  that,  before 
they  entered  upon  a  work  of  liberality,  which  even 
to  the  apostle  seemed   beyond  their  ability,  they 


80       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

"  first  gave  their  own  selves  to  the  Lord,"  and  then 
they  were  able  to  accomplish  a  noble  achievement. 

So  in  the  Church  of  the  present  time,  effort  should 
be  made  to  secure  complete  consecration  to  God, 
and  then  glorious  results  will  follow. 

What  is  most  needed  to  arouse  a  dormant 
Church  is  to  bring  each  individual's  moral  nature 
under  the  warming  and  vivifying  influences  of  "  the 
Sun  of  righteousness."  Then,  when  the  individual 
has  the  mind  that  was  in  Jesus  and  the  presence  of 
the  divine  Spirit  in  his  heart,  he  will  be  "  endued 
with  power  from  on  high,"  and  be  eager  to  enter 
upon  the  fulfillment  of  his  mission.  As  Mr.  Spur- 
geon  has  remarked,  "  A  Church  will  work  in  pro- 
portion to  its  life,  and  the  first  thing,  therefore, 
is  to  get  life  in  the  Church." 

4.  Then  it  may  be  necessary  to  educate  the  con- 
science, and  frequently  to  impress  the  individual 
mind  and  heart  with  the  necessity  and  duty  of  each 
person  performing  such  work. 

Even  the  intelligent  often  need  instruction  on 
these  points  of  duty,  and  it  is  constantly  needful  to 
"  stir  up  pure  minds  by  way  of  remembrance." 


How  to  Secure  their  Co-operation.  81 

While  the  doctrine  that  "  the  just  shall  live  by 
faith"  should  be  taught,  yet,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
declarations  of  James,  that  faith  is  shown  by  works, 
that  "  by  works  was  faith  made  perfect,"  and  "  that 
faith  without  works  is  dead,"  are  also  to  be  incul- 
cated. Arguments  are  to  be  drawn  from  the  com- 
mands of  the  Creator  and  from  the  concurrent  ex- 
istence of  opportunity  and  ability,  until,  like  con- 
victed Saul  of  Tarsus,  each  soul  cries  out,  "  Lord, 
what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?  " 

When  they  are  brought  to  the  point  of  asking 
what  is  their  duty  and  of  seeking  something  to  do, 
more  than  half  the  battle  is  won.  Then,  if  there 
is  no  plan  of  operations,  they  will  make  one  ;  if 
there  is  no  one  to  direct,  they  will  themselves  find 
work  ;  and  then  will  be  overcome  one  of  the  greatest 
obstacles  in  the  way  of  the  Church's  advancement, 
namely,  unwillingness  to  do  humble  toil  and  fill  in- 
conspicuous positions. 

5.  When  persons  are  willing  to  work,  the  next 
step  is  to  invite  their  co-operation. 

All  that  some  need  is  the  summons,  when  they 

will  at  once  respond  with  service. 
6 


82        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

As  to  the  matter  of  invitation,  the  minister  must 
be  the  main  spirit,  though  the  request  may  be  is- 
sued through  others. 

Solicitations  should  be  both  public  and  private, 
general  and  personal.  Invitations  may  be  given 
from  the  pulpit,  by  printed  circulars,  or  through 
autograph  letters.  In  some  instances  the  manu- 
script message  will  have  great  influence,  for  there 
is  something  in  the  letter-form  and  in  the  hand- 
writing which  is  calculated  to  deeply  impress  the 
recipient  with  the  depth  of  the  desire  and  the  in- 
tensity of  the  personal  interest  felt  by  the  writer  of 
the  request. 

Usually,  however,  there  is  nothing  so  potent  as 
the  personal  presence  and  the  living  voice  accom- 
panied by  a  loving  face. 

The  thoughtful  minister  will  perceive  repeated 
opportunities  for  calling  out  volunteers  when  he 
makes  public  references  to  the  various  departments 
of  his  local  Church  work.  Availing  himself  of  these 
methods,  he  will  be  astonished  to  discover  how 
many  willing  workers  are  ready  to  respond. 


How  to  Obtain  Thorough  Work.  83 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

HOW   TO   OBTAIN  THOROUGH   WORK. 

T  T  AVING  referred  to  a  few  methods  for  obtain- 
ing workers,  or  securing  the  largest  quantity 
of  work,  we  should  now  inquire  as  to  the  means  of 
gaining  the  best  quality. 

Having  generated  desire  for  work  and  called  forth 
willing  co-operation,  the  aim  should  now  be  to  util- 
ize this  new  force  by  judiciously  directing  the  ener- 
gies of  the  willing  workers  so  as  to  develop  the 
greatest  efficiency. 

The  first  thing  is  to  be  ready  with  work  when 
they  are  ready  for  work.  When  the  workers  re- 
spond to  the  call,  the  pastor,  or  whoever  manages 
the  movement,  should  be  prepared  to  present  a 
practicable  plan. 

To  attain  a  successful  accomplishment  of  the 
work  a  systematic  plan  of  operations  must  be  de- 
vised. 

The  completeness  of  the  plan  will  depend  largely 


84        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

upon  the  accuracy  of  its  maker's  conception  as  to 
the  province  of  Church  activity. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  the  sphere  of  prac- 
tical Christian  activity  is  exceedingly  comprehen- 
sive. The  Church  is  to  gather  into  and  retain  in 
the  fold.  It  is  to  watch  over,  protect,  and  edify  the 
members  of  its  congregation,  and  it  is  the  moral 
guardian  of  the  neighborhood  of  which  it  is  the 
center. 

It  is  a  light  to  dissipate  spiritual  darkness,  a  moral 
force  to  neutralize  and  destroy  wickedness,  and  a 
magnet  to  draw  men  from  vice  and  uphold  them 
in  the  path  of  virtue.  It  is  a  Dorcas  to  clothe  the 
naked,  a  Good  Samaritan  to  care  for  the  unfortu- 
nate, a  friend  to  feed  the  hungry,  and  a  physician 
to  visit  the  afflicted.  Indeed,  if  the  necessity  arose, 
it  would  not  go  beyond  its  province  if  it  became  an 
employment  bureau  and  assisted  worthy  persons  in 
obtaining  occupation,  or  even  do  as  the  Rev.  John 
Wesley  once  did  when  the  poor  were  suffering  from 
want  of  work.  He  bought  wool  for  them,  gave 
them  the  use  of  one  of  his  chapels  in  which  to  work 
it  up  for  the  market,  and  then   sold  the  fabric  for 


How  to  Obtain  Thorough  Work.  85 

their  benefit.  This  was  practical  Christianity,  and, 
in  an  extreme  case,  a  minister  to-day  would  not  de- 
tract from  the  dignity  of  his  position  if  he  followed 
such  an  example. 

To  particularize  still  further,  new  scholars  are  to 
be  brought  into  the  Sunday-school,  strangers  are 
to  be  invited  and  welcomed  to  the  Church  services, 
absentees  are  to  be  sought  out  and  brought  back, 
the  serious  are  to  be  followed  to  their  homes  and 
the  good  impressions  they  have  received  are  to  be 
deepened.  The  aim  of  each  individual  Church 
should  be  to  bring  each  person  in  the  neighborhood, 
who  is  not  connected  with  some  other  Church,  un- 
der the  direct  influence  of  its  own  sanctuary. 

In  brief,  the  Church  is  in  Christ's  stead,  and  it  is 
to  be  Christlike,  constantly  going  about  doing 
good  to  spirit,  mind,  and  body,  blessing  all  men, 
spiritually,  intellectually,  physically,  politically,  and 
socially. 

As  far  as  possible,  a  plan  of  Church  work  should 
embrace  the  full  mission  of  the  Christian  organ- 
ization. 

Special  forms  of  work  will  vary  with  difference  in 


86       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

the  surroundings.  Thus,  to  mention  extremes,  the 
work  will  have  different  features  in  the  centers  of 
degradation  in  large  cities  from  those  required  in 
regions  of  refinement  and  high  average  morality. 
Ordinarily,  however,  there  will  not  be  much  mate- 
rial variation,  because  the  same  general  principles 
will  hold  and  the  same  demands  will  exist,  though 
in  varying  degrees  in  different  localities. 

The  methods  must  be  modified  in  view  of  these 
differences  in  the  demand  occasioned  by  differing 
circumstances. 

Modifications  may  also  be  necessitated  by  the 
character  of  the  persons  by  whom  the  plan  is  to  be 
executed.  For  such  reasons  no  absolute  method 
can  be  given  which  will  adjust  itself  equally  well 
to  every  place,  and,  even  in  a  given  place,  a  plan, 
sound  and  successful  at  one  time,  may  at  another 
time  need  much  modification  because  of  changed 
circumstances.  Hence,  though  the  same  principles 
will  always  apply,  the  same  working  plan  may  not 
continue  to  answer  the  purpose,  and  should,  there- 
fore, be  revised  to  meet  the  new  relation  of  facts. 
To    do   this   judiciously   will    necessitate   constant 


How  to  Obtain  Thorough  Work.  87 

study  of  the   surroundings  and  frequent   compari- 
sons with  the  system  of  operation. 

When  a  correct  conception  of  the  necessities  of 
the  case  has  been  gained  the  work  should  be  di- 
vided into  distinct  departments. 

One  important  principle  of  successful  action  is 
division  of  labor,  for  experience  in  many  lines  of 
effort  shows  that  thoroughness  is  attained  most 
easily  by  devoting  one's  power  to  a  special  section 
of  industry,  and  this  principle  of  division  of  labor 
certainly  applies  in  Church  affairs  as  well  as  in  or- 
dinary operations.  Therefore,  as  system  facilitates 
the  accomplishment  of  any  work,  it  is  well  for 
those  who  prepare  a  plan  of  Church  effort  to  have, 
as  far  as  possible,  an  exact  classification  of  the  lines 
of  action. 

We  have  already  designated  some  possible  and 
desirable  divisions  and  distributions  of  such  activi- 
ties, others  will  hereafter  be  indicated,  and  others 
will  readily  suggest  themselves. 

As  a  specific  point,  and  one  not  to  be  over- 
looked, the  plan  should  provide  for  the  systematic 
visitation  of  the  vicinity. 


88        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

In  order  to  thoroughly  arrange  for  this  the  pas- 
tor, or  whoever  acts  as  director,  should  secure  or 
make  a  map  of  the  locality.  In  a  city  parish  every 
street  should  be  marked,  extending  at  least  six 
blocks  on  every  side  of  the  church  edifice,  and,  in 
rural  charges,  the  region,  to  be  carefully  visited, 
should  at  least  cover  the  territory  occupied  by  the 
mass  of  the  members. 

Then  the  neighborhood  should  be  divided  into 
districts,  and  special  visitors  should  be  assigned  to 
each  district.  The  size  of  the  districts  and  the 
number  of  the  visitors  must,  of  course,  be  deter- 
mined by  circumstances. 

The  plan  of  visitation  should  be  so  arranged  that 
at  any  time  the  pastor  can  tell  what  neighborhoods 
are  being  inspected,  and  by  whom.  The  districts 
should  be  visited  systematically  at  regular  inter- 
vals, say  once  a  week,  once  a  month,  or  once  a 
quarter.  Probably  it  is  better  to  make  a  thorough 
visitation  once  a  month,  or  even  once  a  quarter, 
than  to  have  an  unsystematic  and  desultory  activ- 
ity all  the  time;  for  general  effort  at  a  specified  time 
is  calculated  to  intensify  interest  and  focalize  the 


How  to  Obtain  Thorough  Work.  89 

forces  of  the  Church.  There  might  be,  however, 
particular  periods,  when  each  district  would  be 
visited  thoroughly  within  a  short  space  of  time, 
while  during  the  interval  the  amount  of  visitation 
could  be  decided  according  to  the  special  need,  or 
left  largely  to  the  option  of  the  visitors. 

Such  lay  visitation  will  not  excuse  the  pastor 
from  the  performance  of  his  duty ;  but  the  calling 
of  others  to  co-operate  with  him  will  contribute  to 
the  more  thorough  cultivation  of  the  field.  The 
result  will  be,  not  that  the  minister  will  do  less,  but 
that  the  members  will  do  more.  Indeed,  instead 
of  relieving  the  pastor,  it  will  probably  increase  his 
toil  by  bringing  to  his  notice  work  that  he  would 
not  himself  have  discovered,  but  at  the  same  time 
it  will  enable  him  to  accomplish  more  with  less 
friction.  When,  for  example,  some  one  is  reported 
ill,  the  pastor  should  go  himself,  but  he  may  also 
send  a  vistor  to  pray,  read,  or  sing  with  the  inva- 
lid. Again,  if  one  is  ascertained  to  be  under  con- 
viction for  sin,  not  only  should  the  pastor  give 
personal  attention  to  the  case,  but  he  should  also 
direct  some  trusty  Christian  to  pay  special  atten- 


90        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

tion  to  the  individual,  and  to  endeavor  to  lead  the 
soul  to  the  Saviour.  In  the  matter  of  visiting 
there  will  be  a  number  of  objects  to  be  gained  and 
various  kinds  of  work  to  be  done,  and,  as  far  as 
possible,  committees  should  be  selected  for  special 
service  in  each  department. 

Thus  there  may  be  bands  for  holding  neighbor- 
hood prayer-meetings,  and  committees  to  conduct 
religious  services  with  the  sick  or  aged,  to  relieve 
the  suffering  poor,  to  visit  non-attendants  upon 
Church  service,  to  welcome  strangers,  to  secure 
new  scholars  for  the  Sunday-school,  and  to  seek 
Church  members  who  have  moved  into  the  vicinity, 
but  have  not  deposited  their  Church  letters,  and  so 
with  any  other  branch  of  the  work. 

If  the  Church  is  large  and  the  workers  numerous, 
each  department,  perhaps,  should  be  worked  by  a 
distinct  body,  and  the  departments  should  be  in- 
creased as  the  number  of  available  assistants  mul- 
tiplies, so  as  to  give  each  one  some  special  work. 
But  if  the  Church  is  small  and  the  workers  few, 
several  departments  might  be  grouped  together. 
In  either  case  the  policy  would  be  to  call  into  ac- 


Hoiv  to  Obtain  TJiorough  Work.  91 

tivity  the  largest  possible  number,  and  thus  pro- 
mote their  individual  interest  and  the  efficiency  of 
the  Church. 

Then  the  committees  and  departments  may  be  mu- 
tually helpful,  aiding  each  other  while  in  the  prose- 
cution of  their  own  work.  Thus  visitors  to  secure 
new  scholars  for  the  Sunday-school  might,  while 
engaged  in  that  work,  discover  the  poor,  visit  the 
sick,  and  find  persons  who  do  not  attend  Church 
service. 

So,  on  the  other  hand,  a  committee,  visiting  for 
some  other  object,  might  at  the  same  time  obtain 
new  scholars.  Indeed,  each  committee  can,  in  a  de- 
gree, co-operate  with  and  in  a  measure  perform  the 
work  of  the  others,  and  thus,  by  several  going  over 
the  same  ground,  and  reporting  to  each  other  cases 
which  do  not  directly  belong  to  their  own  depart- 
ment, make  more  thorough  work  than  if  there  was 
but  one  committee. 


92        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

INDIVIDUAL  AND   ORGANIZED   EFFORT. 

'  I  ^HERE  are  two  ways  in  which  Church  work 
may  be  performed,  namely,  organized  and  un- 
organized action  ;  that  is  to  say,  by  combined  and 
by  individual  effort. 

I.  Individual  effort  is  the  simplest  method,  and, 
in  some  instances,  most  easily  gained.  According 
to  this,  the  individual  may  make  his  own  plan,  or 
follow  a  line  of  working  presented  by  another,  but, 
at  the  same  time,  act  separately  from,  and  inde- 
pendently of,  other  workers. 

It  must  be  admitted  that  each  person  has  a  nat- 
ural right  to  select  his  own  sphere  of  activity,  and 
to  follow  his  own  convictions  as  to  the  best  meth- 
od ;  and,  also,  that  individual  and  independent 
action  will  always  be  needed,  and  should  therefore 
be  encouraged,  no  matter  what  method  may  be 
devised  or  generally  used ;  but,  on  the  other  hand, 
for  the  efficient  employment  of  the  majority  of  the 


Individual  and  Organized  Effort.  93 

membership,  there  must  be  a  general  combination 
of  effort  and  unity  of  plan. 

II.  Therefore,  there  should  be  organized  opera- 
tion, in  which  the  power  of  the  many  may  be  called 
out,  concentrated,  and  judiciously  employed. 

Organization  will  secure  the  valuable  service  of 
persons  who  are  too  timid  or  too  indifferent  to  act 
independently,  and  it  will  also  give  mutual  stimulus 
to  the  workers,  and  multiply  their  influence  accord- 
ing to  the  ratio  of  increase  which  attends  the  union 
of  human  energies. 

Organization  may  bo,  formal  or  informal.  Formal 
organization  is  that  which  has  the  regular  form  of  a 
society,  with,  it  may  be,  constitution  and  by-laws, 
and  the  various  officers  and  formalities  of  proced- 
ure usual  in  such  bodies. 

Some  departments  should  be  formally  organized, 
especially  those  having  the  management  of  money 
or  other  valuables,  such  as  Dorcas  and  provident 
societies  for  the  relief  of  the  poor.  It  is  not  neces- 
sary, however,  to  have  formal  societies  for  every 
thing ;  generally,  the  simpler  they  are  the  bet- 
ter, and  an  unnecessary  multiplication  of  societies 


94        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

should  be  avoided.  Perhaps  all  that  ma}'  be  need- 
ed may  be  attained  through  Church  boards  already 
in  existence. 

There  may  be  informal  organization,  as  when  the 
plan  of  work  exists  in  the  brain  of  the  pastor,  when 
the  minister's  mind  is  the  motive  power  of  the 
mechanism,  and  when  he  manages  the  movement 
directly  and  personally,  or,  indirectly,  through  his 
deputies. 

In  passing,  it  may  be  remarked  that,  from  his 
official  position,  as  the  recognized  head  of  the 
Church,  the  pastor  must,  usually,  take  the  main 
management  of  such  matters,  though  they  may  be 
successfully  carried  on  by  influential  and  judicious 
laymen. 

There  are  a  number  of  advantages  in  this  plan 
of  having  the  method  in  the  mind  of  the  minister. 
It  requires  less  machinery,  and,  when  change  of 
plan  is  needed,  it  obviates  formal  re-organization, 
and  gives  the  pastor  opportunity  to  modify  the 
mechanism  quietly  and  without  friction. 

As  the  general  director,  the  pastor  may  secure  the 
execution  of  his  plan — 


Individual  and  Organized  Effort.  95 

First,  by  summoning  individuals  whom  he  may 
select  for  special  work ;  and, 

Secondly,  by  forming  committees  of  those  who 
will  volunteer  to  act  under  his  direction  and  carry 
out  his  purposes. 

Again,  having  mapped  out  his  work,  the  pastor 
might  pick  out  a  few  reliable  young  persons  to  take 
charge  of  the  different  departments,  and  let  them 
secure  assistants  among  their  young  friends. 

This  would  have  the  advantage  of  making  them 
feel  that  they  are  doing  the  work,  though  the  pas- 
tor would  have  complete  supervision,  by  acting  di- 
rectly and  personally  upon  the  chiefs,  and  indirect- 
ly, through  them,  upon  their  colleagues. 

He  may  accomplish  this  object  also  by  securing 
the  assistance  of  experienced  persons  of  more  ad- 
vanced years  but  with  young  hearts,  who  will  be 
willing  to  direct  without  seeming  to  command, 
and,  while  they  lead  and  control,  are  not  unwilling 
to  stand  in  the  shaded  background,  and  permit  the 
young  workers  to  appear  as  the  central  figures,  and 
receive  the  credit  which  is  their  due. 

With  such  older  members  assigned  to  the  charge 


96        Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

of  each  department,  these  deputies  could  rally  the 
young  around  them,  the-  youthful  and  inexperi- 
enced auxiliaries  could  report  to  them,  and,  then, 
in  turn,  these  superintendents  could  report  to  the 
pastor. 

This  plan  of  calling  around  the  pastor  a  few, 
either  old  or  young,  who  will  act  as  a  staff  through 
which  he  may  direct  the  disposition  of  his  forces, 
has  the  advantage  of  obviating  the  necessity  of 
much  machinery,  thus  economizing  time  by  the 
avoidance  of  many  society  meetings.  It  may  also 
enable  the  pastor  and  his  aids  to  make  a  better 
selection  and  distribution  of  the  co-workers  than 
could  be  done  by  organizing  a  promiscuous  com- 
pany, while  it  will  also  enable  them  more  easily 
and  pleasantly  to  make  subsequent  and  necessary 
changes  in  the  working  force. 

As  a  basis  for  beginning,  and  as  a  nucleus  for 
future  development,  the  pastor  may  find  sufficient 
organization  already  existing  in  the  Sunday-school, 
and  he  will  do  well  to  avail  himself  of  this  material 
which  he  has  at  hand. 

Most  of  the   Sunday-school   teachers  are  young 


Individual  and  Organized  Effort.  97 

persons.  One  of  their  duties  is  to  visit  their  schol- 
ars. Now,  without  adding  greatly  to  their  labor,  it 
would  seem  an  easy  thing  to  induce  them,  while 
performing  the  duty  belonging  to  their  position, 
also  to  act  as  tract  distributors,  to  speak  on  the 
subject  of  religion  to  the  scholars'  parents  and  near 
neighbors,  and  endeavor  to  persuade  them  to  attend 
public  religious  service,  and  so,  perhaps,  succeed  in 
leading  them  into  the  paths  of  righteousness. 

So,  again,  the  teacher  might  employ  the  scholars 
to  do  much  excellent  work,  especially  in  the  matter 
of  visiting  absentees. 

The  pastor  may  also  utilize  the  valuable  material 
to  be  found  among  the  senior  scholars ;  and  here  it 
may  be  suggested  that  one  thing  which  makes  the 
adult  school  important  is  the  fact  that  it  tends  to 
retain  the  young  people  where  they  may  be  easily 
reached  and  readily  used  by  the  Church. 

It  will  be  evident,  however,  in  regard  to  these 
proposed  additions  to  the  usual  work  of  the  Sunday- 
school  teacher,  that  even  then  the  teachers  would 
only  reach  the  vicinity  of  their  scholars'  residences. 

This  might  leave  some  portions  of  the  locality  un- 

7 


98       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

visited,  and  hence,  though  even  this  would  be  an 
improvement  in  many  places,  yet  to  secure  thor- 
oughness in  the  work  and  the  complete  cultivation 
of  the  territory,  it  will  be  necessary  to  specially  di- 
vide the  neighborhood  into  districts,  and  have  a 
more  systematic  and  comprehensive  method  of 
visitation. 


How  YoiitJiful  May  the  Workers  Be  ?         99 


CHAPTER  X. 

HOW   YOUTHFUL   MAY  THE   WORKERS   BE  ? 

A  N  inquiry  may  be  presented  in  regard  to  the 
proper  time  for  calling  young  people  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  activities  of  the  Church.  It  will  be 
asked,  "  How  old  should  they  be  ? "  As  to  this 
there  will  be,  as  there  has  been,  difference  of  opin- 
ion. The  time  must  be  determined  by  the  capaci- 
ties of  the  young  people  in  the  Church,  and  by  the 
nature  of  the  circumstances  which  call  for  action. 
Some  who  are  quite  young  have  as  good  judgment 
and  general  fitness  as  many  who  have  reached  ma- 
ture years,  and  certainly  these  may  be  judiciously 
employed  as  well  as  those  who,  though  adults,  are 
not  so  capable. 

There  are  some  good  people  who  cannot  conceive 
of  wisdom  or  ability  existing  before  gray  hairs  ap- 
pear, and  so  they  act  on  the  theory  that  the  young 
should  be  rigidly  repressed  until  they  have  attained 
greater  maturity  of  view  and  more  skill  than  they 


ioo      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

suppose  young  persons  to  possess.  They  profess 
to  be  so  fearful  that  the  young  may  commit  errors, 
that  they  are  emphatically  opposed  to  employing 
them  in  any  such  service  as  has  been  suggested.  But, 
if  we  wait  until  the  members  have  passed  the  pos- 
sibility of  mistake,  our  Church  machinery  must 
stand  idle,  for  the  most  mature  and  experienced  are 
liable  to  err. 

Observation  in  many  quarters  demonstrates  that 
one  of  the  best  ways  of  developing  ability  and  cul- 
tivating skill  is  to  thrust  responsibility  upon  the  in- 
dividual and  set  him  at  work  ;  then,  though  his  first 
attempts  may  be  crude,  yet  his  future  efforts  will 
be  all  the  more  perfect.  Indeed,  no  matter  how 
long  a  man  delays  action,  his  first  ventures  will  be 
defective,  for  it  is  still  true  that  "  practice  makes 
perfect."  Again,  it  must  be  remembered  that  if 
young  people  and  young  converts  are  not  intro- 
duced at  an  early  period  into  some  form  of  Church 
activity,  the  favoring  circumstances  of  youthful  en- 
ergy and  the  glow  of  the  new  life  will  be  lost  ;  then 
subsequent  efforts  to  secure  them  for  such  service, 
when  these  favorable  elements  do  not  exist,  will  be 


Hozv  Youthful  May  the  Workers  Be?        101 

compelled   to  battle  almost  hopelessly  against  the 
confirmed  habit  of  inaction. 

Still,  they  should  not  be  set  at  the  performance 
of  a  task  which  is  entirely  beyond  their  years,  or 
for  which  they  are  wholly  unadapted.  Of  this,  how- 
ever, there  is  little  danger.  The  danger  is  that  they 
will  not  be  persuaded  to  do  that  which  they  are 
able  to  perform.  The  question  is  to  be  determined 
not  by  years,  but  by  ability.  Certainly  there  are 
some  things  which  young  people  and  young  con- 
verts can  do,  and,  therefore,  the  duty  of  the  Church 
will  be  :  first,  to  immediately  put  upon  them  the 
performance  of  that  which  they  have  ability  to  do  ; 
and,  secondly,  to  prepare  them  to  advance  to  the 
performance  of  that  which  is  more  difficult.  While 
they  are  preparing  for  that  which  they  may  here- 
after accomplish  they  should  do  that  which  they 
now  can  perform,  for  it  is  not  necessary  that  they 
should  remain  in  complete  idleness  until  they  have 
mastered  all  the  mysteries. 


io2      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

PREPARATION   FOR  WORK. 

*  I  ^HERE  should  be  preparation  by  instruction. 

Meetings  for  theoretical  study  might  be  held 
occasionally,  or  at  stated  times,  when  the  best 
methods  of  working  could  be  presented  in  lectures, 
sermons,  addresses,  or  conversations.  Here  they 
could  be  taught  how  to  approach  strangers,  how  to 
direct  inquirers,  how  to  visit  judiciously,  how  and 
what  to  read  or  sing  with  the  sick,  and  so  with  va- 
rious lines  of  action  which  will  suggest  themselves 
to  the  thoughtful,  and  which  need  not  be  stated 
here  in  detail. 

Such  study  will  promote  intelligent  effort  and 
prevent  a  great  waste  of  ignorant  energy,  while,  in 
other  respects,  the  results  will  abundantly  pay  for 
the  trouble  of  preliminary  preparation.  Intelligent 
workers  are  intense  workers,  who  wisely  use  their 
power,  and  thus  accomplish  more  than  the  unintel- 
ligent. 


Preparation  for  Work.  103 

Skilled  labor  is  what  is  needed  in  Church  activi- 
ties as  well  as  in  mechanical  pursuits,  and  this  intel- 
ligent action  will  be  promoted  by  the  proposed  in- 
struction. 

At  the  meetings  for  instruction  a  very  attractive 
and  profitable  feature  might  be  the  presentation  of 
the  reports  and  the  narration  of  the  experience  of 
the  workers.  They  could  relate  interesting  partic- 
ulars of  their  work,  the  kind  of  cases  they  had  met, 
and  how  they  had  treated  them.  These  statements 
would  give  practical  illustrations  of  the  principles 
enunciated  in  the  lectures,  and  furnish  examples  for 
others  to  imitate.  Such  reports  might  also  with 
advantage  be  introduced  in  a  general  meeting  of 
the  Church. 

In  the  management  of  such  meetings  the  minister 
might  call  members  or  others  to  his  aid,  and  might, 
indeed,  find  some  one  more  competent,  or  who 
could  devote  himself  especially  to  such  work,  and 
to  whom  the  pastor  might  safely  intrust  this  impor- 
tant matter. 

We  may  here  refer  to  a  plan  tested  in  the  Beth- 
any Presbyterian  Church  of  Philadelphia.     This  is 


104      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

a  flourishing  Church,  with  a  Sunday-school  which 
is  probably  the  largest  directly  connected  with  any 
Protestant  Church  in  the  country,  numbering,  as  it 
does,  two  thousand  or  more.  Its  success  will  make 
its  methods  an  interesting  study. 

The  Rev.  J.  R.  Miller,  when  pastor,  wrote  as 
follows  : 

"  For  several  winters  we  have  held  a  meeting 
every  week  with  our  young  workers.  These  meet- 
ings have  been  variously  conducted.  Usually  they 
have  consisted  of  Bible  readings  on  the  vital  mat- 
ters of  Christian  doctrine :  first,  because  young 
Christians  need  themselves  to  be  fed ;  and,  second, 
because  they  should  be  made  conversant  with 
God's  word  before  they  are  sent  out  to  teach 
others.  With  open  Bibles  we  turn  from  passage 
to  passage  to  find  what  the  Scriptures  say  on  such 
matters  as  sin,  repentance,  faith,  justification,  sane- 
tification,  the  atonement,  prayer,  and  the  various 
phases  of  Christian  duty.  The  texts  of  Scripture 
are  enforced  by  simple  comments  and  explanations, 
questions  are  asked  and  answered,  difficulties  re- 
moved, and  suggestions  thrown  out.      Special  in- 


Preparation  for  Work.  105 

struction  is  given  on  how  to  deal  with  anxious  per- 
sons and  inquirers,  and  how  to  approach  the  careless 
and  impenitent.  Harm  is  sometimes  done  by  ig- 
norant zeal  and  want  of  tact.  Efforts  to  save  men 
sometimes  drive  them  away  from  Christ,  because 
ill-timed  or  because  unsuitable.  On  this  point, 
therefore,  the  instruction  is  very  simple  and  is  en- 
forced by  illustrations.  Besides,  Scripture  texts  are 
pointed  out,  which  may  be  used  in  explaining  to 
men  the  plan  of  salvation  and  the  way  to  Christ. 
Our  young  people  are  taught  to  discard  every  word 
of  their  own,  and  to  go  every-where  simply  with 
their  open  Bibles.  This  weekly  class  has  been  the 
drill-room  in  which  a  number  of  young  people  have 
not  only  gotten  impulse  and  inspiration,  but  have 
also  learned  how  to  use  their  gifts  and  how  to 
work  effectively  for  the  Master.  A  number  of  our 
best  teachers  have  come  from  this  class. 

"  Another  school  of  preparation  is  a  weekly 
young  people's  prayer-meeting,  such  as  is  held  in 
nearly  all  our  Churches,  where  young  men  become 
accustomed  to  lead  in  prayer,  and  to  try  their  gifts 
of  speech.     Much  good  is  done  in  this  meeting." 


106      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

Besides  this  general  or  class  preparation  it  may 
also  be  necessary  for  the  pastor  or  other  experi- 
enced workers  to  give  individual  instruction,  so  as 
to  meet  the  special  needs  of  particular  persons. 
But  there  is  no  teacher  so  good  as  practice.  As 
Mr.  Spurgeon  once  said :  "  The  best  way  to  do  a 
thing  is  to  do  it."  Put  a  novice  to  work,  and  he 
will  soon  learn  how  if  he  has  the  disposition  and 
the  ability. 

Some  have  become  trained  speakers  by  trying  to 
talk  in  some  little  gathering,  or  at  some  obscure 
mission  station.  In  such  places  they  made  their 
first  ventures  in  leading  in  singing  and  prayer,  or  in 
reading  and  expounding  the  Scriptures,  and  thus 
gradually  gained  courage  and  acquired  ease  and 
efficiency. 

But  we  know  of  nothing  that  has  accomplished 
so  much  good  in  this  particular  as  the  class-meet- 
ings and  the  cottage  prayer-meetings  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church.  In  this  Church  the  young  convert 
is  at  once  taught  to  "speak  in  class"  or  "to  tell  his 
experience  "  in  the  presence  of  the  small  number 
of  friends  who  meet  from  time  to  time  in  the  same 


Preparation  for  Work,  107 

class-meeting.  This  gives  exercise  to  his  talents, 
while  he  receives  instruction  from  the  advice  given 
by  the  leader  or  conductor  of  the  class.  Hearing 
his  leader  instruct  others  as  well  as  himself  in  prac 
tical  religion,  he  gradually  learns  how  to  give  simi- 
lar instruction. 

Then  he  is  called  on  to  lead  the  class  in  prayer. 
After  awhile  he  is  encouraged  to  take  part  in  the 
general  experience  meetings  and  larger  prayer  serv- 
ices of  the  Church,  and,  as  ability  reveals  itself,  he 
is  occasionally  called  upon  to  lead  the  class  or  to 
conduct  a  prayer-meeting.  Giving  further  evi- 
dence of  gifts  and  graces,  he  may  be  granted 
license  to  exhort — to  conduct  minor  services  and 
deliver  addresses,  and,  perhaps,  in  time,  to  act  as 
a  lay  preacher.  Thus  has  he  been  gradually,  and 
almost  unconsciously,  trained,  and,  as  the  develop- 
ment proceeds,  the  Church,  recognizing  his  fitness, 
may  finally  admit  him  into  the  regular  ministry. 

This  method  accounts  very  largely  for  the  ability 
of  the  Methodist  Church  to  rapidly  meet  the  de- 
mands of  the  masses  by  furnishing  men  who,  from 
humble  beginnings,  have  become  eloquent  and  use- 


108      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

ful  ministers,  but  who,  without  such  a  system, 
would  never  have  been  discovered. 

So  is  it  that,  avoiding  the  faults  some  others  have 
fallen  into,  Methodism  does  not  have  to  send  a  man 
through  the  theological  school  in  order  to  find  out 
whether  he  will  make  a  good  preacher,  but  usually 
educates  him  for  that  special  work  after  he  has 
shown  his  fitness  and  given  proof  of  his  call.  The 
lad  or  young  man  who  gives  promise  is  encouraged 
and  kept  in  practice,  while  he  is  urged  to  obtain  a 
thorough  education,  and  may  finally  be  sent  to 
college  and  theological  seminary,  that  he  may  be 
more  thoroughly  furnished  for  his  lofty  vocation. 

Even  university  students  and  graduates  are  ex- 
pected to  pass  through  the  same  school  of  practice  ; 
for  while  Methodism  has,  from  the  beginning  under 
the  scholarly  Wesley,  urged  the  highest  possible 
standard  of  ministerial  education,  it  has  also  insisted 
upon  test  and  development  through  continual  in- 
struction in  the  principles  of  practical  theology  and 
gradual  familiarity  with  methods  of  Christian  work. 
It  is  in  its  facilities  for  training  young  converts  that 
this  Church  has  an  advantage  over  some  others. 


Should  the  Young  be  Associated  ivith  the  Old?  109 


CHAPTER  XII. 

SHOULD  THE  YOUNG  BE  ASSOCIATED  WITH  THE 
OLD? 

A  NOTHER  question  may  now  be  considered, 
namely,  Should  the  young  people,  in  these  or- 
ganized operations,  ivork  separately  or  in  combina- 
tion with  those  who  are  older  and  more  experienced? 

Already  we  have  noticed  that  it  is  difficult  to 
draw  a  decided  distinction  between  the  nature  of 
young  people's  work  and  that  of  others  ;  indeed,  it 
is  evident  that  the  distinction  is  not  in  kind,  but  in 
degree,  and,  therefore,  as  far  as  the  work  itself  is 
concerned,  there  would  be  no  impropriety  for  both 
the  senior  and  junior  workers  to  act  in  conjunction 
on  the  same  committees. 

Usually  the  young  need  contact  with  the 
stronger  moral  character  of  the  more  mature  and 
experienced,  to  give  them  firmness  amid  evil  in- 
fluences, and  to  inspire  them  with  fortitude  and 
stimulate  them  to  courageous  conduct. 


no      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

So,  for  the  purpose  of  practical  training,  it  is 
well  to  associate  the  less  with  the  more  expe- 
rienced. The  association  of  the  young  with  their 
seniors  checks  any  tendency  to  frivolity,  and  gives 
gravity  of  demeanor  and  stability  of  purpose,  while 
it  affords  them  opportunity  to  learn  from  those 
who  have  had  greater  practical  experience. 

Hence,  in  the  matter  of  preparation,  it  is  an  ex- 
cellent method  for  a  veteran  worker  to  associate 
with  himself  a  younger  or  more  inexperienced  per- 
son, and  to  take  pleasure  in  teaching  and  encourag- 
ing him.  Thus  working  with  and  under  the  super- 
vision of  the  senior,  the  junior  acquires  theory  and 
practice  at  the  same  time,  and  so  becomes  less 
liable  to  mistake.  This  method  has  been  found  to 
work  exceedingly  well. 

As  a  general  thing,  the  young  and  old  should  be 
yoked  together.  There  should  be  sufficient  super- 
vision on  the  part  of  adults  to  keep  the  juniors 
from  running  into  error,  but  not  enough  to  depress 
their  spirits  or  to  destroy  healthy  freedom. 

Yet,  while  in  almost  all  forms  of  Church-work 
the    old     and    the    young    are    needed    together, 


Should  the  Young  be  Associated  with  the  Old?  1 1 1 

there  appear  to  be  exceptions  even  to  this  general 
rule. 

The  young  sapling  will  have  but  a  stunted 
growth  if  it  stands  constantly  in  the  shade  of  old 
oaks,  and,  likewise,  young  people  may  not  develop 
strongly  if  they  are  continually  overshadowed  by 
those  who  are  much  more  mature.  So,  while  the 
occasional  presence  of  greatness  is  a  stimulant,  its 
constant  presence  may  be  depressive.  This  may 
partially  account  for  the  fact  that  few  great  men 
have  equally  great  sons. 

In  some  matters,  then,  it  would  seem  both  just 
and  judicious  to  let  young  people  have  and  sustain 
their  own  societies  and  manage  their  own  meetings. 
Such,  for  example,  are  young  people's  prayer- 
meetings.  In  such  meetings  the  presence  of  their 
elders  is  calculated  to  intimidate  and  to  repress  the 
free  flow  of  feeling.  Being  permitted  to  direct 
their  own  movements,  self-reliance  is  developed, 
and  then,  when  the  young  have  been  trained  to 
speak,  sing,  or  pray  in  such  a  gathering,  they  may 
efficiently  participate  in  the  general  meetings  of  the 
larger  and  more  promiscuous  congregation.     So  the 


ii2      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

young  people's  literary  societies  should  almost  en- 
tirely be  managed  by  the  young,  though,  at  the 
same  time,  there  may  be  oversight  of  an  informal 
character,  which  should  never  be  overbearing  or 
offensive,  and  which,  except  in  extreme  cases,  should 
superintend  without  seeming  to  supervise. 

Notwithstanding  the  exceptions,  however,  the 
rule  should  generally  hold :  the  young  should  be  as- 
sociated with  their  seniors.  Though  in  the  training 
school  the  young  may  sometimes  be  'left  to  them- 
selves, yet,  in  the  field  of  action,  veteran  and  raw 
recruit  should  stand  together. 


The  Church  Lyceum.  113 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE   CHURCH   LYCEUM. 

*  I  ^HIS  is  a  fitting  place  to  interject  a  few  thoughts 
in  regard  to  Church  lyceums  or  literary  socie- 
ties. They  are  sometimes  objected  to  because  it  is 
supposed  and  asserted  that  they  are  difficult  to 
manage  and  that  they  disturb  the  harmony  of  the 
Church. 

It  may  be  admitted  that  occasionally  they  are 
not  as  peaceable  as  they  should  be,  but  these  in- 
stances are  not  sufficient  to  make  a  general  objec- 
tion to  such  organizations.  If  possible  and  occa- 
sional difficulties  of  this  nature  would  justify  whole- 
sale opposition  to  such  societies,  the  objection 
would  also  apply  against  Church  organizations ;  for 
even  in  Churches  there  are  sometimes  strong  differ- 
ences of  view  and  inharmonious  elements  which 
break  the  ecclesiastical  peace,  and  not  infrequently 
result  in  schism. 

But  they  may  be  properly  conducted,  and  one  way 


ii4      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

is,  by  the  infusion   of  blood  which  is  riper  if  not 
richer. 

These  associations  are  mainly,  but  not  exclusive- 
ly, for  the  young.  There  should  be  enough  of  the 
senior  element  to  somewhat  restrain  the  volatile 
spirits  of  youth ;  not  to  rule  in  a  domineering  style, 
but  to  mingle  with  and  to  guide  in  a  friendly  man- 
ner. As  the  chief  object  should  be  to  benefit  the 
young  people  in  every  possible  way,  they  should 
be  permitted  at  least  to  seem  to  control  and  to  hold 
most  of  the  positions,  as  well  as  to  perform  most  of 
the  active  work.  The  responsibility  thrust  upon 
them  will  tend  to  train  them,  while  the  presence, 
co-operation,  and  unobtrusive  supervision  of  their 
elders  will  give  them  stability  of  purpose,  preserve 
decorum,  and  promote  efficiency. 

Sometimes  it  may  be  well  for  the  pastor,  or  some 
other  competent  person,  to  hold  the  society  in  his 
own  hand  as  a  class  for  study,  or  an  assembly  for 
mental  improvement,  under  his  direction ;  but  cir- 
cumstances and  common  sense  must  determine 
the  wisdom  of  such  a  course.  In  some  cases  this 
plan  would  avoid  unpleasant  possibilities.      There 


The  CI  lurch  Lyceum.  115 

would  be  no  dispute  as  to  the  letter  of  the  law,  for 
the  individual  managing  it  would  be  Constitution 
and  By-Laws  and  Committee  of  Arrangements,  and 
he  could  appoint  one  person  to  preside  at  one 
meeting  and  another  at  another  time,  and  so  share 
the  honors  with  all.  Probably  this  plan  would  do 
only  in  exceptional  cases. 

Will  the  Church  lyceum  interfere  with  the  regular 
religious  work  of  the  Church  ?  In  some  form  this 
question  is  frequently  asked.  We  may  answer  it 
by  asking  another  question :  Why  should  it  be  sup- 
posed to  interfere  ?  Do  public  and  private  schools 
interfere  with  the  work  of  the  Church?  Does  an 
individual's  general  reading?  Do  other  legitimate 
methods  for  intellectual  improvement,  and  other 
means  for  the  acquisition  of  general  information? 
The  answer  is  in  the  negative.  They  do  not. 
Then  why  propose  the  question  as  to  whether  a 
properly  conducted  lyceum  will  interfere  with  the 
operations  of  the  Church?  The  purpose  of  the 
lyceum  is  literary  improvement  and  mental  culture, 
and  increase  in  this  direction  is  certainly  not  antag- 
onistic to  Church  work,  and  common  sense  will  so 


n6      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

adjust  the  time  that  the  lyceum  will  not  conflict 
with  the  regular  meetings  of  the  Church.  Some 
who  demand  positive  advantages  may  ask,  Will  the 
lyceum  be  beneficial  to  the  Church  ? 

We  answer  in  the  affirmative. 

First.  Because  a  good  association  of  this  charac- 
ter will  attach  the  young  to  the  Church.  If  noth- 
ing more  could  be  gained,  this  would  be  worth  striv- 
ing for.  If  you  would  influence  human  nature  you 
must  begin  at  the  point  where  it  is  already  inter- 
ested. So  you  must  first  touch  the  young  mind 
where  interest  is  already  manifested,  and  then  you 
may  create  interest  in  some  other  desired  direction. 
Hold  them  by  one  cord,  and  you  may  fasten  them 
by  others. 

The  young  mind  desires  to  know,  and  this  nat- 
ural desire  shows  itself  in  some  form  of  curiosity  or 
investigation.  The  lyceum  gratifies  this  desire,  as 
it  stimulates  them  to  inquiry  and  affords  them  in- 
struction ;  and  the  Church  which,  through  its  ly- 
ceum, holds  the  young  by  lines  of  general  knowledge 
may  draw  them  to  that  higher  wisdom  which  is  the 
fear  and  love  of  God. 


The  Church  Lyceum.  117 

If  the  young  will  come  to  the  literary  society,  it 
is  probable  that  they  will  come  to  other  services  of 
the  Church.  Finding  that  the  Church  meets  a 
want  of  their  nature  in  one  particular,  they  will  be 
likely  to  seek  in  it  the  satisfaction  of  their  higher 
nature.  Perceiving  that  the  Church  is  interested  in 
their  minds'  culture,  they  may  give  it  their  heart- 
attachment.  Learning  that  the  Church  seeks  to 
give  them  genuine  pleasure  in  one  form,  they  will 
have  pleasant  memories  of  the  Church,  and,  possi- 
bly, through  these  be  led  to  feel  that  the  greatest 
happiness  comes  through  the  truth  of  Jesus. 

In  this  age,  when  there  are  so  many  counter- 
attractions,  it  must  seem  wise  to  resort  to  any  legit- 
imate measure  to  interest  the  young  in  the  Church, 
and  make  them  realize  that  it  is  to  them  a  home 
that  does  not  repress,  but  which  promotes,  their 
happiness.  The  lyceum  may  prove  a  strong  mag- 
net, to  take  hold  on  their  intellectual  natures  and 
draw  them  into  the  Church.  Young  people  will 
form  such  associations,  and  certainly  it  is  better 
that  they  should  be  under  the  wing  of  the  Church 
than  under  the  shadow  of  outside  influences. 


n8      Young  Workers  in  th-e  Church. 

Second.  The  lyceum  will  be  beneficial  because  it 
will  increase  the  intelligence  of  the  Church. 

This  will  hold  among  the  most  cultured  as  well 
as  among  the  poorly  educated.  Even  the  best  in- 
formed need  to  study  constantly,  for  the  knowledge 
of  the  world  steadily  accumulates.  The  Church 
should  not  be  behind  the  world  in  intelligence. 

Ignorant  zeal  may  be  a  dangerous  element.  Zeal 
without  knowledge  may  sometimes  be  good,  but 
zeal  with  knowledge  is  always  far  better. 

The  world  wants  a  spiritual  Church  with  a  cult- 
ure in  harmony  with  the  times  ;  and,  all  other 
things  being  equal,  the  Church  with  the  best  men- 
tal culture  will  be  strongest  in  its  inner  development 
and  most  potent  in  its  outer  influences.  Intelli- 
gence and  religion  are  not  foes  but  friends — mates 
that  should  never  be  divorced — and  the  lyceum 
strengthens  the  bonds  of  this  union.  The  essays 
read,  the  lectures  delivered,  and  the  discussions  car- 
ried on,  tend  to  the  increase  of  information  ;  and 
especially  will  they  add  to  the  knowledge  of  those 
who  prepare  the  papers  and  participate  in  these 
exercises. 


The  Church  Lyceum,  119 

Third.  These  societies  are  beneficial  because  they 
develop  ability  to  write  and  speak. 

The  preparation  of  essays  and  similar  productions 
gives  facility  and  accuracy  in  the  expression  of 
thought,  the  readings  and  recitations  give  correct- 
ness of  pronunciation  and  precision  and  beauty  of 
elocution,  while  the  debates  cultivate  rapidity  of 
perception  and  readiness  of  utterance. 

All  this  power  acquired  by  lyceum  training  may 
be  utilized  in  the  Sunday-school,  the  prayer-meet- 
ing, and  the  general  gatherings  of  the  Church. 

Its  beneficial  results  will  be  seen  in  the  teachers' 
talks,  in  the  public  prayers,  and  in  the  various  ad- 
dresses which  the  members  may  be  called  upon  to 
deliver. 

So  the  Church  lyceum  may  be  made  a  training 
field  for  future  achievements,  and  the  power  there 
acquired  to  express  thoughts  accurately  and  to 
speak  easily  may  fit  some  to  fill  positions  of  distin- 
guished honor  and  usefulness. 

Fourth.  The  lyceum  will  give  skill  in  conducting 
the  business  meetings  of  the  Church. 

The  parliamentary  practice  gained  as  officers  and 


i2o      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

members  of  these  associations  will  prepare  them  to 
preside  over  and  prosecute  the  business  in  Church 
conventions,  so,  that  all  things  may  be  done  "  de- 
cently and  in  order." 

These  societies  will  train  the  future  presidents  of 
boards  of  trustees,  and  chairmen  and  secretaries  of 
other  bodies,  so  that  the  Church,  in  the  better  man- 
agement of  its  business  meetings,  will  reap  a  rich 
reward. 

These  are  only  a  few  reasons  out  of  the  many 
which  might  be  assigned  in  behalf  of  these  organi- 
zations, but  they  are  sufficient  to  make  a  case,  and 
to  show  that  the  Christian  Church  may  find  in  them 
a  powerful  auxiliary. 

Holding  the  young,  increasing  intelligence,  and 
training  the  intellectual  powers,  as  it  is  calculated 
to  do,  the  Church  Lyceum,  if  wisely  used,  will  be  a 
fine  preparatory  school  for  action  in  other  depart- 
ments, and  even  for  what  may  specifically  be  called 
the  spiritual  work  of  the  Church. 


Assignment  of  Workers.  121 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

ASSIGNMENT   OF  WORKERS. 

XT  THEN  the  method  is  marked  out  and  the 
willing  workers  are  ready  to  proceed,  they 
must  be  assigned  to  special  departments.  They 
must  be  selected,  or  they  must  select  for  themselves. 
They  must  choose  their  own  line  of  operation,  or  it 
must  be  designated  by  the  director. 

Many  persons  have  difficulty  in  deciding  what 
they  should  do,  but  will  act  efficiently  if  they  are 
assigned  the  performance  of  a  particular  part  of  a 
plan.  They  hesitate  in  selecting,  but  not  in  obey- 
ing, and,  when  specific  work  is  set  before  them,  they 
perceive  something  tangible,  and  are  more  likely  to 
take  hold  with  strong  hope  and  firm  determination. 
Then,  again,  some  who  are  too  modest  to  act  on 
their  own  responsibility  will  cheerfully  do  what  they 
are  asked  to  perform.  Hence  it  is  generally  better 
for  the  pastor  to  indicate  the  special  work  for  each 
individual,  or,  at  least,  to  appoint  the  chief  of  each 


122      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

committee  or  head  of  each   department,  and  then 
let  that  person  select  the  others. 

In  selecting  leaders  or  in  assigning  laborers  to 
special  fields,  great  care  should  be  exercised.  To 
place  some  persons,  for  example,  on  a  committee 
to  visit  the  sick  would  appear  almost  criminal  and 
with  malice  aforethought,  for  their  appearance, 
manner,  and  conversation  would  be  almost  enough 
to  kill  an  invalid  in  a  few  visits. 

One  of  Dickens'  characters  in  "  David  Copper- 
field  "  is  not  a  bad  model  for  visitors  to  the  sick. 
Of  him  he  says  :  "  He  went  into  Mr.  Barkis's  room 
like  light  and  air,  brightening  and  refreshing  it 
as  if  he  were  healthy  weather.  There  was  no 
noise,  no  effort,  no  consciousness,  in  any  thing  he 
did  ;  but  in  every  thing  an  undescribable  brightness, 
a  seeming  impossibility  of  doing  any  thing  else,  or 
doing  any  thing  better,  which  was  so  graceful,  so 
natural  and  agreeable,  that  it  overcomes  me,  even 
now,  in  the  remembrance." 

To  these  qualities  the  Christian  visitor  should  add 
the  consolation  of  the  Gospel,  which  may  be  more 
needed  than  medicine. 


Assignment  of  Workers.  123 

Those  who  would  do  very  well  to  distribute  tracts 
or  to  relieve  the  poor,  might,  if  they  attempted  to 
speak  to  others  in  regard  to  their  souls'  salvation, 
make  bungling  work  of  it,  like  the  individual  who, 
toward  the  close  of  day,  recollecting  that  he  had  not 
spoken  to  any  one  on  the  subject  of  salvation,  re- 
solved to  speak  in  regard  to  it  to  the  first  person  he 
might  meet.  Passing  through  a  lonely  place,  a  man 
happened  to  approach.  This  was  our  friend's  op- 
portunity, as  he  supposed;  so  at  once,  abruptly  and 
in  a  startling  tone,  he  exclaimed,  "  Are  you  ready 
to  die  ?  "  The  stranger,  thus  accosted  in  a  solitary 
spot,  probably  thinking  the  question  was  only  a  va- 
riation of  the  highwayman's  "  Your  money  or  your 
life  !  "  immediately  fled. 

Some  who  are  not  fitted  for  one  form  of  work 
may  be  admirably  adapted  for  another.  Some  who 
cannot  pray  in  public  can  sing  sweetly,  and,  as 
singers,  will  be  very  useful  in  neighborhood  prayer- 
meetings.  Some  who  do  not  sing  may  be  able  to 
offer  prevailing  prayer,  while  others,  who  can  neither 
sing  nor  lead  in  prayer,  being  good  readers,  might 
do  grand  service  as  Bible-readers. 


124      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

It  is  evident  that,  in  view  of  differences  of  talent, 
wisdom  must  be  exercised  in  distributing  the  work, 
else  injury  will  be  done  the  cause,  and  the  individ- 
ual himself  become  discouraged  because  he  accom- 
plishes so  little  through  being  placed  in  a  sphere 
for  which  he  has  no  adaptation,  while  another  de- 
partment suffers  for  lack  of  the  very  skill  he  pos- 
sesses but  does  not  use. 

Hence,  he  who  directs  the  assignment  of  the 
volunteers  should  have  an  approximately  accurate 
acquaintance  with  the  ability  of  the  persons  to  be 
employed. 

In  determining  the  question  of  adaptation  very 
often,  though  not  always,  the  best  criterion  is  the 
taste  or  preference  of  the  individual ;  for  nature 
sometimes  manifests  its  conscious  possession  of 
ability  by  the  moving  of  desire. 

It  may  be  well,  at  first,  to  engage  workers 
for  a  brief  period,  for  some,  especially  in  new 
forms  of  effort,  might  not  be  willing  to  under- 
take a  long  term  of  service,  but,  by  being  em- 
ployed for  short  seasons,  could  be  kept  constantly 
in  action. 


Assignment  of  Workers.  125 

Then  it  may  be  judicious  at  proper  intervals  to 
transfer  workers  from  one  department  to  another, 
for  human  nature  soon  wearies  of  one  form  of  work. 
The  monotony  may  be  broken,  and  fresh  interest 
preserved,  by  changing  the  character  of  the  em- 
ployment. 

As  a  general  rule,  especially  in  new  neighborhoods, 
a  visitor  should  seldom  go  alone.  Christ  sent 
out  his  disciples  in  couples,  and  so,  as  a  general 
thing,  at  least  two  visitors  should  go  in  company. 
This  arrangement  will  give  mutual  encouragement, 
and,  what  may  also  be  needed,  mutual  protection, 
for  there  may  chance  to  be  danger  in  strange 
places  which  they  may  be  called  to  visit. 

It  will  be  well  to  send  out  together  persons  who 
have  qualities  which,  though  differing,  supplement 
each  -other.  One  may  have  talent  in  conversation, 
while  another  may  possess  ability  as  a  singer,  or 
one  may  be  an  impressive  reader,  and  another  may 
be  gifted  in  prayer.  So,  for  the  visitation  of  the 
afflicted,  it  will  be  wise  to  send  three  persons  to- 
gether, one  to  read,  another  to  sing,  and  the  third 
to  pray. 


126      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

In  "  Thoughts  Through  the  Year,"  J.  E.  A. 
Brown  has  embodied  this  principle  in  verse : 

They  went  forth  two  and  two  throughout  the  land  ; 

Such  was  the  Master's  bidding.     Did  he  know, 

Being  alone,  how  hard  it  is  to  go 

Without  the  comfort  of  a  helping  hand  ? 

Or  were  they  chosen  thus  of  Him,  and  planned-, 

That  to  weak  faith  strong  love  a  torch  might  show; 

Tempered  by  patience,  zeal  might  gentler  grow  ; 

Or  doubt  through  hope  wax  mightier  to  withstand  ? 

Lord,  send  us  two  and  two  ;  or,  if  alone, 

Let  thy  twin  spirits,  Faith  and  Charity, 

Be  two  bright  wings  to  bear  us  to  thy  throne  ! 

If  no  dear  voice  may  commune  by  our  side 

Show  us  our  Elder  Brother,  close  allied, 

And  let  us  find  our  comforter  in  thee  ! 

It  will  not  be  out  of  place  to  mention  that  each 
worker  should  keep  a  memorandum  of  his  work, 
and  that  there  should  be  a  general  record  of  the 
workers  and  the  work  accomplished.  Memory  is 
treacherous  with  most  persons,  and  the  only  way 
to  secure  thoroughness  is  at  once  to  note  down  the 
names,  residences,  and  incidents  which  may  subse- 
quently be  needed.  Even  the  Committee  on 
Strangers,  when  welcoming  a  stranger  in  the 
church,    and    inviting    his    return,    should    politely 


Assignment  of  Workers.  127 

manage  to  ascertain  whether  the  individual  belongs 
to  any  Church,  and,  if  he  does  not,  to  learn  his 
name  and  address,  and  note  this  in  their  book, 
so  that  further  attention  can  be  paid  him. 

Many  a  person  has  been  lost  to  the  Church  sim- 
ply through  failure  to  write  the  name  and  a  few 
other  particulars.  A  little  care  in  this  regard  will 
amply  repay  the  worker  for  his  trouble. 


i28      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

PRINCIPLES   IN   PRACTICE. 

A    LL  the  principles  we  have  advanced  have  been 
tested,   though   perhaps   not   all   at   any  one 
time  in  any  one  place. 

As  a  further  illustration  of  what  can  be  done, 
and  what  has  actually  been  accomplished,  we  may 
refer  once  more  to  the  Bethany  Church.  The  pas- 
tor previously  mentioned  states  that  the  young  men 
who  have  received  instruction  in  the  preparatory 
meetings  are  placed  under  competent  leaders,  and 
"  are  sent  out  on  Friday  evenings,  and  hold  a  num- 
ber of  cottage  prayer-meetings  in  different  neigh- 
borhoods, which  are  often  largely  attended  and 
yield  rich  blessing." 

He  also  remarks  :  "  From  time  to  time  we  make 
special  efforts  to  canvass  the  parish.  A  number 
of  our  best  workers  are  called  together  by  special 
invitation  to  take  seats  with  the  Session,  and  to 
confer  together  about   the  work.     Volunteers  are 


Principles  in  Practice.  129 

called  for,  to  go  from  house  to  house.  They  are 
yoked  in  twos.  A  block  or  more  is  assigned  to 
each  pair.  They  are  furnished  with  tracts  and 
cards  of  invitation  to  our  church  and  Sabbath- 
school.  They  are  to  go  from  door  to  door  to 
ascertain,  as  far  as  possible,  the  church  relation  of 
every  household.  When  they  find  a  family  that 
belongs  to  any  other  Church  they  are  merely  to 
leave  a  friendly  Christian  greeting,  and  pass  on. 
When  they  find  families  with  no  church  home, 
they  are  to  seek  admittance,  if  the  way  be  open, 
and  hold  such  conversation  with  the  members  as 
they  may  be  able  to  do.  They  are  also  to  leave 
a  card,  inviting  them  to  the  church  and  Sunday- 
school. 

"  In  this  canvass  they  are  to  keep  a  careful  rec- 
ord of  all  families  of  the  latter  class,  that  they  may 
be  visited  again,  and  proper  efforts  made  for  their 
salvation. 

"  About   three  weeks   ago   a  hundred   and   fifty 
postal  cards  were  sent  out  to  as  many  of  our  most 
efficient  young   people,  calling   them   to  meet   to- 
gether.    Three  classes  or  committees  were  formed : 
9 


130      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

"  i.  The  class  of  visitors  to  go  from  house  to 
house  in  the  neighborhood,  as  Bible-readers  and 
tract  distributers. 

"  2.  A  group  often  good  singers. 

"  3.  A  large  committee  to  invite  impenitent  per- 
sons to  a  special  inquirers'  meeting,  held  after  each 
service.  We  think  that  the  net  should  not  only  be 
let  down,  but  drawn  in  again  as  well,  and  that,  es- 
pecially when  every  heart  is  feeling  the  influence 
of  the  Spirit,  the  net  should  be  hauled  in  after 
every  service. 

"  Here  is  the  method :  It  is  announced  that  such 
a  meeting  will  be  held  immediately  after  the  bene- 
diction, in  an  adjoining  room.  The  committee  of 
singers  go  in  at  once  and  begin  to  sing.  All  who 
are  seeking  the  Saviour  are  also  invited.  The  large 
committee  to  invite  others  in  watch  for  impenitent 
persons.  The  result  is  that  the  room  is  filled  with 
earnest  souls. 

"  A  great  deal  can  be  done  quietly  and  pri- 
vately by  a  word  dropped  here  and  there  to  one 
who  is  able  to  be  useful.  Many  persons  want  to 
work,   but   cannot  mark  out  their  own  field,  and 


Principles  in  Practice.  131 

need  to  be  sent,  as  children  are  sent,  on  special 
errands. 

"  A  pastor  sees  every  day  something  that  needs 
to  be  done,  and  knows  some  one  who  can  just 
do  that.  Let  him  send  the  messenger  on  his 
errand." 

We  present  these  facts  to  show  what  has  been 
successfully  done  in  one  place,  and  what  may  be 
done  elsewhere  and  just  as  well.  The  principles, 
which  are  certainly  good,  might,  however,  be  ap- 
plied in  a  modified  form  where  different  methods 
are  preferred. 


132      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 


CHAPTER   XVL 

WORDS  FOR  PASTORS. 

A  FTER  what  has  already  been  said  it  will  not 
be  necessary  to  deliver  an  exhortation  to  pas- 
tors. Every  true  pastor  is  anxious  to  do  all  he  can 
to  secure  a  successful  Church.  He  will  appreciate 
the  many  encouragements  there  are  to  induce  him 
to  make  his  young  people's  power  active  in  pro- 
moting the  prosperity  of  the  Church.  But  many  a 
pastor  will  feel  that,  in  view  of  his  surroundings,  he 
cannot  at  once  start  complete  Church  machinery 
into  action.  He  may  feel  depressed  because  he 
cannot  find  a  sufficient  number  of  persons  with 
the  proper  qualifications,  or  because  those  in  the 
Church  have  not  been  educated  to  a  point  where 
they  are  willing  to  co-operate  in  carrying  out  a 
comprehensive  plan  of  Christian  activity. 

These  difficulties,  which  are  very  discouraging, 
exist  in  many  places,  and  such  obstacles  may  be 
exceedingly  hard  to  overcome.     Yet,  let  one  so  sit- 


Words  for  Pastors.  133 

uated  remember  that  thorough  Church  work  is  a 
growth  which  requires  time  and  teaching,  and,  also, 
that  it  is  not  necessary  to  make  a  perfect  plan  or 
to  have  many  helpers  before  beginning  operations. 
Generally,  it  may  be  better  to  begin  with  one  de- 
partment, or  to  commence  with  some  small  com- 
mittees, and  afterward  to  extend  the  field  and 
increase  the  laborers.  The  true  plan  is  not  to  at- 
tempt every  thing  at  first,  but  to  start  a  few  work- 
ers in  special  lines,  and  gradually,  but  as  rapidly  as 
possible,  to  increase  the  number  of  workers  and  the 
variety  of  the  operations. 

Prompt  action,  thorough  work,  and  constant  de- 
velopment, should  be  the  aim,  and,  with  a  high 
ideal,  steadily,  though  it  may  be  slowly,  the  pastor 
should  attempt  its  realization. 

The  plan  we  present  is  suggestive.  All  the 
points  may  not  be  needed  at  any  one  time,  but  the 
principles  will  apply  generally  to  all  Churches  and 
at  all  times.  The  wise  pastor  can  call  around  him 
a  few  earnest  souls,  and  they  will  soon  influence 
others,  and  then  he  can  modify  his  method  as  cir- 
cumstances require. 


134      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

Let  it  also  be  understood,  and  that  with  eiru 
phasis,  that  we  do  not  limit  the  management  of 
the  work  to  the  pastor,  but  simply  speak  of  him  as 
the  chief  spirit  in  these  movements,  and,  humanly 
speaking,  as  usually  the  inspiration  that  arouses 
others  to  action. 


Views  for  Veterans.  135 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

VIEWS   FOR   VETERANS. 

"\I  7E  have  endeavored  to  show  that  the  youth- 
ful portion  of  the  Church  is  an  element  of 
power,  and  that,  while  it  has  done  some  good,  it  is 
capable  of  accomplishing  much  more.  It  is  also 
evident  that  the  greater  part  of  this  force  is  per- 
mitted to  lie  latent,  and  that  even  the  fraction 
which  is  sometimes  called  into  requisition  is  far 
from  being  developed  to  its  full  power. 

If  it  is  ever  thoroughly  utilized,  it  will  be  through 
the  judicious  management  of  the  older  members. 
Hence,  great  responsibility  rests  upon  you  who  are 
more  advanced  in  years,  and  much  depends  upon 
how  you  conduct  yourselves  toward  the  younger 
members.  They  look  up  to  you  as  leaders  in 
Church  movements ;  they  await  your  call,  and  ex- 
pect your  guidance.  Your  look  of  indifference, 
your  frown  of  repression,  or  your  word  of  discour- 
agement, may  check  the  development  of  their  re- 


136      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

ligious  energy  and  usefulness ;  while,  on  the  other 
hand,  your  words  of  approval  may  be  an  influential 
incentive  to  one  who  may  prove  an  angel  of  good 
deeds,  and  your  smile  of  encouragement  may  stim- 
ulate one  who  may  become  a  very  Samson  in  Chris- 
tian aggression. 

The  principles  previously  presented  suggest  sev- 
eral special  duties  which  devolve  upon  you  who  are 
adult  Christians,  and  especially  upon  those  whose 
position  makes  them  prominent  managers  in  Church 
movements. 

First,  it  will  be  your  duty  to  attract  young  peo- 
ple to  the  Church. 

It  is  not  enough  that  they  come  like  strangers  to 
some  of  the  services.  They  must  feel  at  home,  and 
their  hearts  must  be  interested  in  the  Church  and 
its  welfare.  To  bring  this  about  you  should  make 
the  Church  building  and  the  Church  services  at- 
tractive, You  should  study  to  create  and  to  sus- 
tain interest,  not  by  making  the  conduct  of  the 
Church  light  and  trifling,  or  by  imitating  the  style 
of  the  sensational  religious  buffoon,  but  by  inviting 
them  to  a  cheerful  and  comfortable  Church  edifice, 


Vieivs  for  Veterans.  1 3  7 

and  introducing  them  into  a  warm  Christian  and 
social  element,  and,  above  all,  by  revealing  to  them 
a  Church  thoroughly  aroused,  and  discharging  the 
complete  duty  of  a  Church — for  nothing  can  make 
a  Church  so  attractive  as  earnest  effort  in  saving 
sinners  and  edifying  believers. 

In  harmony  with  this  thought  is  the  idea  of  an- 
other, who  has  said,  "  Do  something  that  is  really 
living  and  helpful,  and  that  will  draw  Church  mem- 
bers closer  together,  and  deepen  their  interest  in 
the  highest  welfare  of  each  other.  Every  member, 
official  and  unofficial,  is  under  obligation  to  Christ 
to  make  his  Church  the  happiest  of  homes,  the 
brightest  and  most  attractive  of  societies,  so  that 
the  world  may  say,  '  Behold  how  these  Christians 
love  one  another ; '  and  the  members  of  the  Church 
may  say,  '  Did  not  our  heart  burn  within  us,  while 
he  talked  with  us  by  the  way,  and  while  he  opened 
to  us  the  Scriptures?'" 

A  Church  with  this  spirit  will  not  repel,  but 
attract. 

There  are,  however,  special  attentions  which  tend 
to  draw  and  to  hold. 


138      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

There  should  be  the  individual  invitation.  The 
general  invitation  is  not  enough.  You  must  seek 
them  personally,  for  it  is  mainly  by  such  means  that 
the  corps  of  workers  will  be  increased. 

The  Rev.  James  A.  Spurgeon  gives  us  a  hint, 
when  he  tells  us  how  a  member  of  his  brother's 
Church  acted :  He  purchased  seven  sittings  and 
seven  hymn  books,  and  when  he  saw  a  young  man 
trying  to  enter  the  church  he  gave  him  a  seat  and 
a  book,  and  when  he  had  his  little  flock  gathered 
he  felt  happy.  If  possible,  after  the  service,  he 
spoke  to  them  a  word  of  kind  inquiry  or  encour- 
agement. By  this  means  he  had  brought  no  less 
than  fifteen  young  men  into  the  membership  of  the 
Church. 

And  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clifford,  of  London,  urging  a 
similar  point,  says  :  "  Barnabas  took  Saul  of  Tarsus 
and  brought  him  into  the  society  of  Christ  Jesus. 
He  knew  where  his  place  was,  and  he  did  his  ut- 
most to  move  him  into  it.  Every  Christian  should 
be  a  Barnabas — every  one  should  ;  not  merely  the 
seat  steward,  or  the  deacon,  or  the  Sunday-school 
teacher;   it  is  a  common  duty,  devolving  alike  on 


Views  for  Veterans.  139 

young  and  old,  on  officer  and  private,  on  cultured 
and  uncultured." 

You  must  go  out  and  seek,  and  give  a  special 
and  earnest  invitation. 

Then  associate  with  them,  for  attachment  is  cre- 
ated only  by  contact.  Mingle  with  them  that  they 
may  know  you  personally,  and,  being  drawn  near 
you,  may  become  attached  to  you,  and  through 
you  to  the  Church. 

Show  them  that  you  sympathize  with  them. 
Sympathy  must  be  manifested  as  well  as  felt. 
When  they  know  that  you  love  and  sympathize 
with  them  they  will  be  drawn  to  you,  but  they  can- 
not know  it  unless  they  see  its  expression.  Re- 
member that  youth  needs  the  support  of  sincere 
sympathy,  and  sustain  them  by  your  gentleness 
and  strength. 

Then  encourage  them  to  attempt  the  accomplish- 
ment of  something  noble. 

Human  nature  desires  and  requires  appreciation, 
and  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  young  people 
have  a  great  deal  of  human  nature. 

They  are  easily  disheartened  when  they  notice 


140      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

the  absence  of  approval,  and  it  is  safe  to  say  that 
more  young  persons  are  spoiled  by  lack  of  encour- 
agement than  by  judicious  words  of  commendation. 
Do  not  discourage  the  young  workers  either  by 
word  or  look,  but  be  anxious  to  encourage  them  by 
every  means  in  your  power.  Whenever  you  per- 
ceive that  they  are  attempting  even  the  feeblest 
effort  in  the  right  direction,  let  them  know  at  least 
that  you  are  pleased  with  their  willingness  to  work. 

Mr.  Spurgeon,  in  addressing  Church  workers, 
touches  this  point  when  he  says :  "  You  should  al- 
ways try  to  criticise  work  done  for  Christ  very  ten- 
derly, as  well  as  very  wisely,  because  you  might 
otherwise  put  a  man's  light  out  when  you  only  in- 
tended to  snuff  his  candle.  Very  often  real  talent 
and  true  ability  that  might  be  serviceable  for 
Christ  are  lost  by  the  injudicious  manner  in  which 
a  brother  is  encouraged  backward." 

Advise  them  kindly  and  wisely.  They  are  inex- 
perienced, and,  of  course,  need  instruction.  Show 
them  what  they  can  do,  and  direct  them  in  its  per- 
formance. But,  in  order  to  counsel,  first  study  the 
needs  of  the  Church  and  the  right  methods  of  work, 


Views  for  Veterans.  141 

and  also  consider  the  capabilities  of  the  individuals. 
Then  make  your  application  with  good  judgment, 
and  in  the  spirit  of  love. 

Last  of  all — we  might  almost  say  first,  last,  and 
always — call  them  to  co-operate  with  you. 

Recall  a  few  of  the  many  reasons  why  you 
should  associate  them  with  you  in  your  Church 
work.  You  should  do  it  for  the  sake  of  the  Church. 
The  Church  needs  the  efforts  of  all.  It  cannot 
afford  to  permit  any  power  it  possesses  to  remain 
latent. 

Every  force  should  be  developed  into  vigorous 
activity,  and  you  should  avail  yourself  of  the  capa- 
bilities of  the  young  because  of  the  present,  press- 
ing needs  of  the  Church,  and  because  there  is 
danger  that  the  powers  of  evil  may  turn  these  very 
capabilities  against  the  right,  unless  the  Church 
promptly  and  persistently  employs  their  ability  in 
the  line  of  Christian  endeavor. 

You  should  associate  them  with  you  for  your  own 
sake.  Contact  with  their  youthful  spirits  will  keep 
your  heart  young,  even  when  advancing  age  enfee- 
bles your  body.     As  you  become  older  the  young 


142      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

workers  you  call  into  action  will  share  your  toil  and 
lighten  your  burdens.  As  time  steals  your  elastic- 
ity their  fresh  natures  will  supply  the  loss.  As  the 
fire  of  your  enthusiasm  diminishes,  the  glow  of  their 
young  life  will  meet  the  deficiency.  They  will  sup- 
plement your  experience  with  their  strong  energy 
and  enthusiastic  spirit,  and  so,  when  their  enthusi- 
asm and  your  experience  are  engaged  in  combined 
action,  grand  results  will  follow. 

Secure  their  co-operation  for  their  own  sake. 
Should  nothing  more  be  accomplished,  you  will 
train  their  powers  for  future  usefulness.  Under 
your  direction,  and  with  your  example  before  them, 
they  will  be  profited  in  the  present  and  prepared 
for  efficient  service  in  the  future.  The  activities 
you  induce  them  to  attempt  will  preserve  the  right 
direction  of  their  affections  and  will  increase  their 
strength  and  skill.  What  wonderful  results  would 
follow  if  each  adult  Church  member  would  try  to 
bring  out  the  ability  of  at  least  one  young  Chris- 
tian !  You  may  develop  a  humble  worker  who 
will  be  a  great  blessing  in  a  limited  sphere,  or 
one   who,    moving    in   a   larger   orbit,   may   prove 


Views  for  Veterans.  143 

to  be  an  eminent  personage,  possessing  potent  in- 
fluences, whose  beneficent  effects  may  be  felt  far 
and  wide. 

A  number  of  years  ago  some  Christians  in  Phila- 
delphia noticed  a  poor  boy  working  in  one  of  the 
factories  of  that  city.  They  encouraged  him  to  use 
in  religious  meetings  the  talent  he  possessed  as  a 
speaker.  They  aided  him  in  obtaining  an  educa- 
tion, and  that  factory  boy  became  the  Rev.  Abel 
Stevens,  LL.D.,  a  powerful  pulpit  orator,  an  emi- 
nent writer,  and  the  celebrated  historian  of  Method- 
ism. There  are  hosts  of  similar  cases  which  show 
the  value  of  a  little  attention  to  the  young;  but  do 
not  think  that  your  work  is  a  failure  unless  the 
good  boys  become  ministers  and  the  good  girls  the 
wives  of  missionaries.  The  Lord  does  not  want  all 
the  good  boys  in  the  pulpit.  He  wants  most  of 
them  to  stay  in  the  pews.  People  can  perform  im- 
portant service  for  God  without  preaching  sermons. 
The  member  can  work  together  with  God  as  well 
as  the  minister.  But  the  best  work  must  come  from 
those  who  have  been  trained  early  in  life.  Then 
train  the  young  to  be  workers,  no  matter  how  hum- 


144      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

ble  may  be  the  kind  of  work,  and  they  will  work 
well  after  you  have  gone  to  your  reward. 

It  is  trite  but  true  to  say  that  youth  is  the  forma- 
tive period,  and,  consequently,  the  best  time  for  train- 
ing. If  you  fail  to  train  them  when  their  characters 
are  flexible  you  lose  your  grandest  opportunity. 

Ruskin  says :  "  The  human  soul  in  youth  is  not  a 
machine,  of  which  you  can  polish  the  cogs  with  any 
kelp  or  brick-dust  near  at  hand,  and,  having  got  it  into 
working  order,  and  good,  empty,  and  oiled  service- 
ableness,  start  your  immortal  locomotive  at  twenty- 
five  years  old,  or  thirty,  express  for  the  Strait  Gate 
on  the  Narrow  Road.  The  whole  period  of  youth 
is  one  essentially  of  formation,  edification,  instruc- 
tion. I  use  the  words  with  their  weight  in  them,  in 
taking  of  stores,  establishment  in  vital  habits,  hopes, 
and  faiths.  There  is  not  an  hour  of  it  but  is  trem- 
bling with  destinies,  not  a  moment  of  which,  once 
passed,  the  appointed  work  can  ever  be  done  again, 
or  the  neglected  blow  struck  on  the  cold  iron. 
Take  your  vase  of  Venice  glass  out  of  the  furnace, 
and  strew  chaff  over  it  in  its  transparent  heat,  and 
recover  that  to  its  clearness  and  envied  glory  when 


Views  for  Veterans.  145 

the  north  wind  has  blown  upon  it ;  but  do  not  think 
to  strew  chaff  over  the  child  fresh  from  God's  pres- 
ence, and  to  bring  heavenly  colors  back  to  him,  at 
least  in  this  world." 

The  latter  point  Ruskin  may  state  too  strongly, 
but  the  force  of  the  general  thought  cannot  be 
overestimated.  The  heavenly  colors  may  come 
back  to  the  regenerated  heart,  but  in  the  matter  of 
education  and  training  there  is  not  an  hour  of  youth 
"  but  is  trembling  with  destinies,  not  a  moment  of 
which,  once  passed,  the  appointed  work  can  ever 
be  done  again." 

If  we  would  have  the  best  development  we  must 
train  human  beings  when  they  are  young. 

But  while  the  employment  of  young  workers  is 

urged,  let  it  not  be  feared  that  this  will  push  older 

persons  out  of  the  places  they  are  worthily  filling. 

Calling  young  Christians  into  Church  activity  will 

not    take    position   or   prominence   from   the   older 

members.       There    is    need    and    room    for    both. 

There  is  an  abundance  of  work  for  all  classes,  the 

old  and  the  young,  the  mature  and  the  immature. 

The  sphere  will  in  some  sense  differ,  so  that  the 
10 


146      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

youthful  toiler  never  can  do  the  full  work  of  the 
more  mature  and  experienced,  but  the  effort  of 
both  will,  nevertheless,  be  necessary.  There  is, 
therefore,  no  occasion  for  the  old  being  jealous  of 
the  young,  or  for  the  young  being  jealous  of  the  old. 

Before  we  close  another  matter  should  be  guard- 
ed. It  is  this  :  while  on  the  one  hand  the  junior 
member  is  taught  that  he  is  not  too  young  to  do 
something  for  the  Church,  the  seniors  should  never 
permit  themselves  to  feel  that  they  are  too  old  to 
do  their  share. 

There  is  danger  that  mature  persons  will  weary 
in  well-doing,  and  consider  that  they  are  too  far  ad- 
vanced in  years,  just  as  others  may  excuse  their  in- 
activity on  the  ground  of  youthfulness. 

Hence,  one  important  point  to  be  kept  in  view  in 
Church  management  is  to  persuade  members  to 
continue  in  active  participation  in  Church  affairs 
even  when  their  heads  have  silvered  with  age. 

The  calm  judgment  of  old  age  is  always  as  much 
needed  as  the  glowing  energy  of  youth.  An  army 
must  have  trained  and  tested  veterans,  while  it  also 
accepts  and   drills  the  raw  recruits.     So  with   the 


Views  for  Veterans.  147 

Church  militant.  It  must  fill  up  the  ranks  with  the 
inexperienced  who  need  training,  but  back  of  the 
young  soldiers  of  the  cross-  must  stand  the  old 
guard,  which  has  fought  many  a  good  fight.  Then 
the  army  of  Christ  will  have  greater  steadiness  and 
enthusiasm,  and  win  greater  victories. 


148      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THOUGHTS   FOR   THE   YOUNG. 

1\  /FY  young  friends,  presuming  that  you  have 
read  the  foregoing  pages,  it  will  not  be  nec- 
essary to  restate  facts  nor  to  add  many  points  to 
those  already  presented.  God  calls  you  to  work  for 
him.  The  field,  which  is  the  world,  opens  before 
you,  and  the  Church  invites  your  co-operation. 
The  Creator  has  endowed  you  with  talents  which 
may  be  productive  of  great  good.  You  are  formed 
for  activity  and  not  for  indolence.  Your  own  capa- 
bilities as  well  as  God's  word  prove  that  God  in- 
tends you  to  accomplish  good,  and,  now  that  he 
has  selected  you,  it  is  for  you  to  select  your  sphere. 
There  is  something  you  can  do  toward  the  over- 
throw of  evil  and  the  establishing  of  the  right. 
There  is  something  you  can  do  to  further  the  cause 
of  Christ.  Within  the  sphere  of  Church  action 
there  is  a  place  for  you  to  take  and  a  part  for  you 
to  perform.     Give  the  matter  careful  and  consci- 


Thoughts  for  the  Young.  149 

entious  thought,  pause  long  enough  to  perceive 
what  powers  you  possess  and  what  work  you  can 
do,  until  your  natures  are  fired  with  a  holy  purpose 
and  your  hearts  are  aroused  to  attempt  its  per- 
formance. 

There  are  many  things  in  Church  work  you  can 
do.  You  can  speak  to  others  on  the  subject  of  re- 
ligion, if  not  publicly,  at  least  privately.  You  can 
tell  others  of  your  Church,  and  invite  them  to  the 
Sabbath-school  and  the  other  Church  services. 
You  can  influence  others,  and  especially  the  young, 
by  your  kind  words  and  consistent  example.  You 
can  cheer  and  comfort  the  aged,  for  they  appreciate 
the  respectful  attention  of  their  juniors.  You  can 
cheer  their  hearts  by  your  joyous  words  and  glad 
smile,  and  you  can  comfort  them  by  the  word  of 
God  you  may  read,  or  the  sacred  hymns  you  may 
sing  for  them.  But  there  are  many  other  ways  in 
which  you  can  accomplish  good. 

Then,  if  there  is  a  work  you  can  do  and  God  calls 
you  to  perform  it,  it  is  your  duty  to  do  what  you 
can. 

You  should  do  it,  first,  because  you  have  talents 


150      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

which  fit  you  for  work,  and  because  opportunities 
open  before  you.  Ability  possessed  and  opportu- 
nity offered  are  God's  commands.  They  indicate 
God's  intention  that  you  shall  employ  the  talent 
and  avail  yourself  of  the  opportunity. 

Second,  because  the  Church  needs  your  assist- 
ance. It  needs  the  aid  of  all,  no  matter  how  tri- 
fling may  seem  the  help  some  can  bring.  You  pos- 
sess a  peculiar  force,  which  is  needed.  You  have 
energy  and  enthusiasm,  and  your  bold  spirit  is 
needed  to  mingle  with  the  caution  of  age,  and  your 
hopefulness  with  the  weariness  of  advancing  years. 

Third,  because  even  the  little  good  you  do  will 
bless  others,  and  as  the  effect  of  a  good  act  never 
perishes,  your  good  deed  will  go  on  forever  on  its 
mission  of  blessing.  The  little  acorn  which  a  child 
plants  grows  into  a  mighty  oak,  giving  shade,  it 
may  be,  for  centuries,  while,  from  the  acorns  it 
yields,  great  forests  grow,  and  from  the  timber  taken 
from  the  forest,  fleets  of  many  ships  are  built  to  de- 
fend the  nation  or  to  carry  earth's  productions  to 
and  from  many  lands.  Much  greater  is  the  possi- 
ble outcome  of  a  single  good  deed  which  makes  one 


Thoughts  for  the  Young.  151 

character  better,  for  it  goes  on  as  long  as  the  gener- 
ations of  men  live  in  this  world,  and,  as  man  is  im- 
mortal, its  influence  extends  as  long  as  eternity 
endures. 

Fourth,  because  the  good  you  do  will  benefit 
yourself.  Real  and  lasting  happiness  comes  only 
from  good  accomplished.  You  know  that  pleasur- 
able emotions  come  from  action.  Thus  children  in 
their  sports  show  us  that  joy  can  be  gained  from 
mere  activity;  much  more,  then,  will  happiness  come 
from  efforts  to  do  good.  Besides  this,  Christian 
activity  tends  to  the  preservation  of  the  religious 
life.  Without  action  vigor  declines  and  death  en- 
sues. We  must  act  or  die.  So  spiritual  life  can 
be  preserved  only  by  active  exercise  in  doing  good. 
Then  this  action  will  promote  the  development  of 
your  spiritual  powers  and  help  mature  your  moral 
natures,  so  that  you  can  more  easily  resist  tempta- 
tion and  discharge  duty.  The  practice  gained  will 
train  you  for  future  efficiency,  which  will  be  needed, 
for  the  time  is  coming  when  the  responsibilities  of 
the  Church  will  rest  mainly  upon  you.  Doing  what 
you  can   now  will  lead  to  the  formation  of  right 


152      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

habits,  and  give  you  skill  which  will  make  you  ex- 
pert in  the  discharge  of  future  and  more  difficult 
duties. 

Notwithstanding  all  we  have  said,  one  young 
friend  desires  to  interpose  some  objections  in  be- 
half of  himself  and  others. 

He  admits  that  some  young  people  have  done 
excellent  work,  and  that  no  doubt  others  can  do  as 
well,  but  he  claims  that  he  cannot,  and  that  because 
of  that  he  must  be  excused  from  the  attempt. 

We  must,  therefore,  address  ourselves  to  this  ob- 
jector. To  him  we  say,  As  a  general  principle  you 
agree  that  young  people  may  do  all  that  is  claimed, 
but  you  object  that  individually  you  are  not  com- 
petent— that  though  others  may  have  the  requisite 
qualifications  you  have  not. 

You  say  you  are  too  weak  to  do  any  thing. 
Well,  it  may  be  true  that  your  powers  are  not 
great.  You  may  not  be  able  to  do  every  thing,  but 
it  does  not  follow  that  you  cannot  do  any  thing  ; 
or,  it  may  be  true  that  you  cannot  do  some  special 
kind  of  work  that  others  have  done,  yet  it  does  not 
follow  that  there  is  nothing  you  can  do.     The  best 


Thoughts  for  the  Young.  153 

cannot  do  every  thing,  and,  though  you  cannot  do 
some  particular  and  lofty  work,  yet  there  may  be, 
and  no  doubt  is,  something  you  can  perform.  Da- 
vid could  not  carry  the  armor  of  Saul  or  wield  the 
king's  sword,  but  he  could  use  the  sling  and  hurl 
the  stone.  Perhaps  you  should  not  attempt  to 
handle  the  king's  sword,  but  you  may  do  efficient 
service  with  the  shepherd's  sling.  Do  the  little 
good  if  you  cannot  the  great  deed.  You  are  not 
to  be  like  some  doctor  of  divinity  or  aim  at  the  im- 
possible, but  to  be  yourself,  and  do  what  is  within 
your  powers.  Though  you  cannot  preach,  you  may 
converse.  Though  you  cannot  deliver  an  elaborate 
oration,  you  can  talk  for  Jesus.  Though  you  may 
not  be  able  to  address  a  large  audience,  you  can 
speak  to  a  single  individual.  It  is  written,  "  To 
every  man  his  work,"  and  there  is  something  you 
can  do. 

Still,  you  object  that  what  you  are  able  to  do  is 
so  small  that  it  is  not  worth  doing.  But  the  small- 
est good  is  worth  doing.  It  adds  something  to  the 
aggregate  good  in  the  world.  The  ocean  is  made 
up  of  drops.     If  there  were  no  drops  there  would 


154      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

be  no  ocean.  The  drop,  tiny  as  it  is,  goes  to  make 
up  the  ocean.  The  earth  is  made  up  of  atoms. 
Annihilate  the  atoms,  minute  as  they  are,  and  there 
would  be  no  world.  So  the  mass  of  good  in  the 
world  is  made  up  of  little  deeds  which  seem  small 
in  themselves.  "  Despise  not  the  day  of  small 
things."  Despise  not  what  you  can  do,  though  it 
appears  trifling.  What  the  Church  needs  to-day 
is  people  who  are  willing  to  do  humble  work  in  ob- 
scure places — to  do  little  deeds  of  goodness.  There 
are  plenty  who  are  willing  to  be  prominent  and  to 
stand  where  many  eyes  shall  look  upon  them  and 
many  voices  shout  their  praise.  The  little  act 
which  you  think  valueless  may  be  just  what  is  re- 
quired.    Though  small,  it  may  be  effectual. 

Some  time  ago  a  ship  was  about  to  be  launched. 
Every  thing  was  made  ready,  but  she  moved  not. 
The  workmen  exerted  all  their  strength,  but  the 
vessel  did  not  stir.  Just  then  a  lad  ran  to  the 
ship's  side  and  began  to  push.  The  spectators 
laughed  as  they  saw  him  press  against  the  vessel, 
but  the  lad's  strength  was  just  what  was  needed, 
and  the  ship  glided  swiftly  into  the  water.     So  the 


Thoughts  for  the  Young.   •  155 

Church  needs  the  activity  of  the  weakest  as  well  as 
of  the  strongest,  and  the  effort  of  the  weakest  will 
greatly  facilitate  the  progress  of  the  work  of 
Christ.  Refrain  not  from  doing  what  good  you 
can,  no  matter  how  insignificant  it  may  appear,  for 
you  cannot  excuse  yourself  from  doing  a  little  be- 
cause you  cannot  do  much.  If  some  great  duty 
presents  itself,  and  you  realize  that  it  is  your  duty, 
and  at  the  same  time  feel  your  insufficiency,  re- 
member that  God  is  on  your  side,  and  that  his 
strength  is  pledged,  to  aid  you.  But  if  the  duty 
seems  small,  remember  that  the  great  Being  who 
brings  the  majestic  tree  from  the  tiny  seed  can 
bring  great  results  from  the  good  deed  that  seems 
small  to  the  human  eye.  Do  what  you  can,  and 
rely  on  God  for  the  result. 

Still  you  urge  that  you  are  inexperienced  and  un- 
skilled. That  will  be  admitted,  but  let  it  be  re- 
membered that  others,  equally  inexperienced  and 
unskilled,  have  accomplished  much.  Skill  is  at- 
tained only  through  action.  Attempt,  and  perse- 
vere, and  in  due  time  skill  will  come. 

You    have    not    experience,    but    you    have    the 


156      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

compensating  qualities  of  energy  and  enthusiasm. 
Experience  comes  with  time,  yet,  as  time  advances, 
energy  and  enthusiasm  diminish.  Each  state  has 
its  compensation.  In  early  life  enthusiastic  energy 
makes  up  for  lack  of  experience,  while  in  old  age 
experience  compensates  for  the  loss  of  energy. 

You  have  the  fiery  forces  of  youth,  and,  as  they 
fade  away,  experience  will  come  to  take  their  place. 
The  valuable  qualities  you  now  have  are  what  you 
now  need.  Energy  and  enthusiasm  are  important 
elements  in  a  worker.  Attempt  with  these,  and 
you  may  expect  skill  and  whatever  else  is  needed 
to  follow. 

Just  here  we  may  suggest  that  caution  increases 
as  time  advances,  and  caution  not  balanced  by  ac- 
tion becomes  cowardice.  If  you  wait  too  long  cau- 
tion will  unduly  increase,  and  you  will  fear  to  at- 
tempt. Perfect  skill  is  not  expected  from  the 
young,  and  early  imperfections  are  soon  forgotten. 
The  true  way  is  to  begin  at  once,  even  if  the 
beginning  is  a  blunder,  and  then,  if  it  cannot  be 
otherwise,  blunder  on  until  you  blunder  into  suc- 
cess. 


Thoughts  fcr  the  Young.  157 

You  plead  as  an  excuse  from  service  that  you  are 
discouraged  by  imperfect  results. 

If  you  really  have  a  disposition  to  work,  that  is 
not  a  bad  sign.  It  shows  that  your  conception 
of  what  should  be  done  is  ahead  of  what  you 
have  done.  This  is  as  it  should  be  if  you  will  try 
to  measure  up  to  your  growing  standard  of  excel- 
lence. Suppose  there  is  some  imperfection  in  what 
you  have  done  ;  that  is  not  a  reason  why  you  should 
stop,  but  rather  that  you  should  make  greater  effort 
to  succeed.  When  duty  is  in  question  former  fail- 
ure is  no  reason  why  we  should  give  up  effort,  but 
rather  that  we  should  study  and  strive  to  do  better 
in  the  future.  We  should  inquire  why  there  has 
been  failure,  and  learn  how  we  may  be  more  suc- 
cessful. 

All  perfection  in  human  work  began  in  the  im- 
perfect. Perfection  is  gained,  not  by  giving  up, 
but  by  going  on.  "  Practice  makes  perfect."  Per- 
severe. Let  imperfection  not  discourage  but 
rather  stimulate  you.  Though  your  effort  may  not 
have  succeeded,  feel  that  your  failure  only  fits  you 
to  do  better  in  the  next  attempt. 


158      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

Beginners'  efforts  are  expected  to  be  inferior,  but 
those  who  continue  can  improve  and  attain  ap- 
proximate perfection.  The  young  artist  does  not 
equal  the  old  master,  but  through  patient  struggle 
he  becomes  himself  a  master.  The  old  master 
never  would  have  been  able  to  execute  his  great 
works  if  he  had  yielded  to  discouragement,  and 
had  given  up  effort  because  of  the  imperfection  of 
his  early  attempt. 

The  traveler  visiting  the  museum  in  Rotterdam 
may  notice  a  painting,  which  is  rough  and  without 
marks  of  genius  or  skill.  He  may  pass  it  carelessly, 
only  wondering  why  such  a  daub  should  be  in  such 
a  place,  and  turn  away  to  view  finer  pictures.  In 
the  same  gallery  he  will  perceive  the  masterpiece 
of  the  renowned  Rembrandt,  which  is  counted  of 
immense  value,  as  it  is  a  work  showing  the  ripest 
genius  and  the  highest  skill.  What  a  contrast  ! 
Why  should  that  poor  painting  hang  so  near  this 
masterpiece  ?  They  teach  a  valuable  lesson.  They 
are  by  the  same  painter.  The  rough  picture  is  the 
first  piece  painted  by  Rembrandt.  If  he  had 
stopped   with   that    crude    effort    the   world   would 


Thoughts  for  the  Young.  159 

have  lost  much.  The  imperfect  beginning  did  not 
prevent  ultimate  success,  and  the  masterpiece  was 
but  the  result  of  going  on  in  patient  study  and 
steady  practice.  The  comparatively  worthless 
work  of  the  student  must  precede  the  perfection 
of  the  master.  The  master  is  only  the  developed 
student,  and  every  attempt,  no  matter  how  poor, 
tends  to  perfection.  Like  the  young  artist,  do  the 
best  you  can  now,  and  daily  strive  to  do  better. 
Be  not  discouraged  by  seeming  failures.  Let  them 
stimulate  you  to  greater  effort.  "  Be  not  weary  in 
well  doing,  for  ye  shall  reap,  if  ye  faint  not." 

Remember,  too,  that  you  cannot  ahvays  tell  the 
result.  You  cannot  say  positively  what  efforts  for 
the  moral  good  of  others  are  failures.  Seeming 
failures  are  not  always  real  failures.  The  farmer 
plants  the  seed.  It  is  buried  out  of  sight.  He 
comes  back  the  next  day,  the  next  week,  the 
next  month,  but  there  is  no  harvest.  Shall 
he  say  his  work  is  a  failure?  The  frosts  of 
winter  come,  the  soil  is  frozen  hard,  and  snow 
covers  the  ground.  Shall  he  say  he  has  failed — 
there  will  be  no  harvest  ?     Months  pass,  and  the 


160      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

winter  disappears,  and  now  the  favoring  influences 
of  spring  approach,  and,  lo  !  the  snow  melts,  the 
ground  softens,  the  green  blade  appears,  the  stalk, 
the  ear,  the  full  corn  in  the  ear.  The  seed  was  not 
destroyed,  the  work  was  not  a  failure,  but  a  rich 
harvest  is  gathered. 

Just  as  the  seed  is  buried  out  of  sight  for  some 
time  before  it  sprouts  and  springs  up  through  the 
soil,  so  one  may  not  immediately  perceive  the  de- 
sired result  of  some  well-intended  act,  but  after 
awhile  it  may  bring  an  abundant  harvest.  Al- 
though we  fail  to  see  the  sprout  or  the  ripe  grain, 
others  may  gather  many  sheaves  from  our  sowing. 

One  thing  is  absolutely  certain,  and  that  is,  there 
cannot  be  a  total  failure. 

Should  we  fail  as  to  others,  we  need  not  as  to 
ourselves,  for  every  right  effort  brings  a  reflex 
benefit  to  the  actor.  Briefly  restating  points  al- 
ready presented  :  First,  there  is  peace  and  happi- 
ness from  duty  discharged.  There  is  reward  in  the 
consciousness  of  having  done  what  we  could.  Sec- 
ond, religious  effort  tends  to  preserve  moral  health 
and  spiritual  life.     Without  exercise  the  body  will 


Thoughts  for  the  Young.  161 

become  diseased  and  die,  and  without  effort  spirit- 
uality will  be  lost.  Third,  our  efforts  to  do  good 
will  increase  our  moral  power,  and  our  spiritual 
strength  will  be  steadily  developed.  No  right  ef- 
fort is  lost.  See  the  gymnast.  What  has  he  to 
show  for  his  effort  ?  He  has  not  broken  up  the 
soil  for  the  sower ;  he  has  not  erected  a  palace ;  he 
has  not  constructed  a  machine.  There  is  nothing 
to  show  for  it  outside  himself;  but  who  will  say  he 
has  failed  ?  See  the  result  in  massive  muscles,  in  a 
sinewy  and  elastic  frame,  in  steady  nerves,  and  in 
the  glow  of  vigorous  health,  which  adds  beauty  to 
his  magnificent  form.  Though  there  may  be  noth- 
ing else  accomplished,  yet  his  effort  has  been  a  suc- 
cess, because  of  what  it  has  made  himself. 

So  the  Christian  worker,  though  he  failed  as  to 
others,  would,  from  every  attempt,  receive  a  reflex 
benefit  within  himself,  and  this  would  be  worth  the 
endeavor,  should  his  work  accomplish  no  more. 
But  good  efforts  for  others  will  produce  good  re- 
sults beyond  the  performer. 

It  is  well  to  have  a  lofty  ideal  and  try  to  reach 

it,  even  if  we  do  not  fully  succeed.     But  if  we  can- 
11 


162      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

not  accomplish  all  we  desire  we  should  not  be  dis- 
couraged and  desist,  for  there  cannot  be  total  fail- 
ure when  there  is  sincere  and  earnest  attempt. 

Again,  you  urge  as  an  objection  that  you  are  not 
encouraged,  but  are  discouraged  by  older  persons. 

This  may  be  true  in  exceptional  cases,  but  gen- 
erally it  is  a  misapprehension.  Every  intelligent 
Christian  will  be  glad  to  have  you  perform  your 
part  in  Church  work.  Laborers  are  not  so  numer- 
ous that  wise  Christians  will  discourage  those  who 
are  trying  to  do  what  they  can. 

If  you  have  not  received  encouragement,  possi- 
bly you  were  striving  to  do  work  which  was  beyond 
your  ability,  and  which  naturally  belonged  to  older 
persons.  If  so,  then  the  difficulty  was  that  you 
went  a  little  beyond  your  sphere,  and  you  can  easily 
correct  your  mistake.  But,  perhaps,  you  were  too 
sensitive,  and  imagined  that  others  wanted  to  dis- 
courage you.  You  may  have  misunderstood  their 
words  or  actions,  or  you  may  have  made  a  hasty 
inference,  simply  because  they  failed  to  utter  words 
of  encouragement  in  your  hearing,  or  did  not  praise 
you  as  warmly  as  you  desired. 


Thoughts  for  the  Young.  163 

Even  if  others  did  intentionally  try  to  discourage 
you,  that  should  not  prevent  your  discharge  of 
duty.  Duty  should  overbalance  disapproval.  In- 
attention or  disheartening  remarks  on  the  part  of 
others  will  not  excuse  your  non-performance  of  the 
duty  which  devolves  upon  you.  Lack  of  encour- 
agement may  be  a  fault  justly  charged  against  some, 
but  that  will  not  absolve  you  from  the  greater  fault 
of  neglect  to  do  your  part,  be  it  great  or  small. 

However,  it  is  generally  true  that  the  representa- 
tives of  the  Church  gladly  welcome  the  young 
worker,  though  they  may  not  always  pat  him  on  the 
head  and  tell  him  how  well  he  has  done.  As  we 
leave  childhood  we  should  leave  behind  all  great 
expectations  of  this  character,  and  learn  to  dis- 
charge our  duty  for  duty's  sake,  even  if  others  do 
not  reward  us  with  deserved  commendation.  But 
remember  that  God  notices,  encourages,  and  rewards. 

As  a  final  plea  you  say  you  do  not  know  what  you 
can  do. 

We  assume  that  you  are  willing  to  perform  your 
part  if  your  place  can  be  pointed  out.  Then,  as  it 
is  a  serious  duty,  you  should  make  it  a  matter  of 


164      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

careful  reflection  and  of  prayer  to  God  for  direction. 
It  will  be  well  also  for  you  to  inquire  of  your  pastor, 
or  some  other  older  and  more  experienced  person, 
and,  with  an  honest  purpose,  consider  the  advice  you 
receive.  Do  not,  however,  have  your  mind  filled 
with  something  so  lofty,  distant,  and  difficult  that 
it  is  quite  impossible  for  you  to  perform  it,  for  duty 
is  always  within  our  reach,  and  is  usually  the  near- 
est and  simplest  thing  we  can  do. 

The  field  is  before  you.  Hesitate  no  longer,  but 
enter  and  toil  on.  Work  for  your  own  sake  and  for 
the  sake  of  others.  God  calls  you  to  action  ;  answer 
the  summons  by  service.  Hearken  to  the  call  and 
obey  the  command,  and  in  this  world  and  the  world 
to  come  there  shall  be  for  you  a  rich  and  everlast- 
ing reward. 


Words  for  all  Workers.  165 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

WORDS  FOR  ALL  WORKERS. 

JOHN    FOSTER    says:    "But    little    is    accom- 
plished because  but  little  is  vigorously  attempt- 
ed, and  but  little  is  attempted  because  difficulties 
are  magnified." 

This  is  true  in  Church  affairs  as  well  as  in  other 
departments.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  men  are  apt  to 
magnify  the  difficulties  until  they  become  self-par- 
alyzed. That  there  are  difficulties  in  the  work  of 
the  Church  is  not  to  be  questioned,  but  that  they 
are  as  many  and  as  insurmountable  as  people  are 
apt  to  imagine,  experience  and  observation  emphat- 
ically disprove.  They  are  not  so  great  that  they 
cannot  be  overcome.  Even  from  a  human  stand- 
point, as  seen  through  experience,  they  are  not  so 
numerous  and  appalling  as  our  fears  fancy  them. 
Then,  when  we  remember  that  God's  help  is  prom- 
ised, our  fears  take  flight,  our  vision  becomes 
clearer,  and  we  perceive  facts  in  their  true  relation 


166      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

and  obstacles  in  their  real  littleness,  for  "  if  God  be 
for  us,  who  are  they  who  are  against  us?  " 

It  is  recorded  that  in  the  days  of  Grecian  grand- 
eur some  persons  who  traveled  to  Olympia  to  see 
Phidias's  statue  of  Zeus,  the  great  Colossus  of  ivory 
and  gold,  were  so  full  of  thoughts  of  the  disagree- 
able and  troublesome  things  they  experienced — 
they  were  scorched  by  the  sun,  or  wet  by  the  rain, 
or  pressed  by  the  crowd — that  they  forgot  all  about 
the  glory  and  sublimity  of  the  splendid  statue. 
Thus  many  are  inclined  to  let  their  minds  be  taken 
up  with  the  troubles,  annoyances,  and  difficulties  in 
the  way  of  the  Christian  worker,  so  that  they  gather 
no  inspiration  from  the  grandeur  of  the  work  ac- 
complished. 

Let  us  not  be  intimidated  !  Let  us  not  be  dis- 
couraged !  The  greatest  obstacles  have  been  sur- 
mounted, and  under  our  divine  Leader  we  can  sur- 
mount every  barrier,  bear  every  necessary  burden, 
and  withstand  the  strongest  foe.  The  great  Captain 
of  our  salvation  issues  the  order  to  advance.  Let 
there  be  no  skulking,  no  slinking  to  the  rear,  no 
pleading  of  indisposition  !     The  muster-roll  is  being 


Words  for  all  Workers.  167 

called — let  every  man  take  his  place  and  obey  the 
divine  command.  On  one  occasion,  in  India,  the 
English  army  was  in  peril,  and  an  effort  had  to  be 
made  that  required  bravery  and  steadfastness. 
Then  the  commander  cried  out,  "  Send  for  Have- 
lock's  men ;  they  can  be  trusted."  So,  to-day, 
God  and  the  Church  want  men  who  are  ready  and 
reliable  —  who  are  so  disciplined,  and  have  such 
confidence  in  God  and  the  righteousness  of  their 
cause,  that  they  will  not  be  appalled  by  the  strength 
of  the  foe  or  disheartened  by  difficulties.  Let  us 
not  magnify  difficulties,  but  magnify  God.  The 
work  is  great,  but  God  is  greater.  He  leads,  he  in- 
spires, he  strengthens ;  and,  weak  and  imperfect 
though  we  are,  we  shall  overcome. 

While  we  remember  the  might  of  God,  and  the 
promise  of  divine  help,  we  must  not  forget  that  we 
have  personal  responsibilities  in  the  way  of  prepa- 
ration and  fitness. 

Let  me  point  out  to  those  who  are  willing  to 
work  for  Christ  a  few  requisites. 

First  and  always,  manifest  a  consistent  Christian 
life.     For  the  most  efficient  service  this  is  abso- 


i68      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

lutely  needed,  and  its  presence  often  makes  up  for 
many  deficiencies  of  talent  and  culture.  The  Rev. 
H.  C.  Hadyn,  D.D.,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  has  well 
expressed  the  thought  in  saying,  "  It  needs  no 
argument  to  show  that  a  profoundly  consistent  life 
makes  a  word  dropped  here  and  there  of  more  value 
than  the  most  ostentatious  service  without  that 
support."  If  the  world  doubts  the  character  of  the 
worker  it  will  not  be  influenced  by  his  words,  but 
the  humblest,  in  whom  the  people  have  confi- 
dence, may,  in  a  quiet  way,  exert  great  influence 
and  accomplish  great  good. 

But  this  impression  must  be  made  not  by  mere 
external  formality,  but  by  that  mysterious,  impal- 
pable, and  unconscious  influence  that  comes  from  a 
genuine  inner  life. 

Therefore  it  is  necessary  to  keep  up  a  high  degree 
of  spirituality.  To  this  end  there  should  be  fre- 
quent reading  of  God's  word,  private  prayer,  self- 
examination,  meditation,  and  secret  communion 
with  the  divine  Spirit. 

Be  regularly  in  your  place  at  public  worsJiip  and 
at  the  Church's  social  means  of  grace. 


Words  for  all  Workers.  169 

It  is  something  to  set  a  good  example  as  a  list- 
ener, and  regularity  in  attendance  on  the  services 
of  the  Church  is  a  passive  way  of  working.  The 
example  influences  others.  Hearken  to  the  word, 
that  you  may  have  food  for  reflection  and  material 
for  conversation.  Great  good  may  be  accomplished 
by  talking  to  others  of  the  good  points  heard  from 
the  pulpit,  and  no  preacher  is  so  poor  that  his  ser- 
mon contains  nothing  worth  talking  about.  If 
hearers  would  look  for  the  good,  instead  of  harping 
upon  chance  faults  in  the  pulpit,  their  religious  life 
would  be  healthier,  and  the  minister's  efforts  would 
not  so  often  be  neutralized. 

From  the  Church  services  you  will  gather  inspira- 
tion that  will  stimulate  you  in  your  work,  and  a 
worker  stands  out  all  the  better  before  the  people, 
with  the  background  of  attention  to  religious  du- 
ties in  his  Church. 

Take  your  place  in  the  Sunday-school,  or,  as  some 
would  call  it,  the  Bible-school.  You  may  be  an 
officer,  a  teacher,  or  a  scholar.  Be  willing  to  be  a 
student  if  there  is  not  demand  for  you  in  some 
higher  position.     Do  not  have  the  stupid  conceit  of 


170     Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

the  young  man  who,  when  invited  into  a  Bible- 
class,  said  he  "  had  studied  the  Bible  enough,  and 
did  not  care  to  go  in  unless  they  wanted  a  teacher." 
No  one  can  be  too  learned  or  too  lofty  to  be  a 
Bible  student.  No  knowledge  can  excel,  and  no 
age  can  outgrow,  that  wonderful  book.  It  is  a  vol- 
ume into  which  the  longer  we  look  the  more  we 
see.  If  you  are  not  needed  as  officer  or  teacher, 
gladly  accept  the  opportunity  of  being  a  faithful 
and  diligent  scholar,  as  a  preparation  for  other 
forms  of  work  or  future  demands  which  may  come 
to  you. 

As  a  teacher  you  can  come  within  short  range  of 
human  souls,  and  in  this  you  have  almost  an  ad- 
vantage over  him  who  preaches  from  the  pulpit. 
Take  advantage  of  your  opportunity.  Come  with  a 
full  head  to  impart  knowledge,  and  with  a  warm 
heart  to  melt  away  the  cold  barrier  between  their 
souls  and  the  life-giving  word. 

As  an  officer,  whether  it  be  secretary  or  librarian, 
determine  to  discharge  your  duty  well.  God  may 
mean  to  train  you  for  something  grander.  If  you 
occupy  the  place  of  superintendent,  perceive  how 


Words  for  all  Workers.  171 

broad  a  field  for  influence  there  is  before  you. 
Prompt,  prepared,  and  prayerful,  be  an  inspiration 
to  the  teachers  and  a  loving  example  to  all.  With 
an  intelligent,  warm-hearted  management,  melt 
hearts  and  mold  minds;  but,  to  successfully  ac- 
complish this,  be  sure  to  have  your  plan  carefully 
studied  and  your  work  thoroughly  prepared  before 
you  appear  before  the  school. 

Show  an  interest  in  all  departments  of  Church 
work.  You  may  not  be  able  to  take  a  leading  or 
active  part  in  every  movement.  Perhaps  it  is  not 
necessary,  or  even  well,  that  you  should.  But  you 
should  not  be  indifferent  as  to  the  success  of  any 
effort  of  the  Church.  If  you  cannot  do  more,  at 
least  you  can  manifest  your  interest  and  show  your 
sympathy.  Those  managing  or  assisting  in  other 
forms  of  activity  need  your  sympathy,  and  so  you 
will  need  their  sympathy  in  your  line  of  action. 
While  there  may  be  division  of  labor,  the  work  is 
one,  and  each  endeavor  of  the  Church  requires 
some  kind  of  support  from  all,  and,  therefore,  in- 
terest should  be  shown  in  what  the  Church  is  doing 
in  its  various  departments. 


172       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

Cherish  an  anxiety  to  do  something — to  do  all  you 
can. 

Be  alarmed  if  you  find  that  your  disposition  to 
work  is  departing,  for  it  may  betoken  loss  of  spir- 
itual vigor.  At  once  place  yourself  under  the  in- 
fluence of  the  divine  Spirit,  and  pray  once  more 
to  be  "  endued  with  power  from  on  high." 

When  a  place  opens  do  not  draw  back.  When 
the  proper  authorities  invite  you  into  some  position 
of  responsibility  do  not  hastily  refuse.  Let  not 
backwardness  prevent  your  responding.  It  may  be 
the  divine  indication.  It  may  be  your  special  duty, 
and  the  voice  of  duty  is  the  voice  of  God.  Look 
upon  it  as  providential ;  ask  God  to  help  you  ;  ac- 
cept, go  on,  and  do  the  best  you  can. 

Work  in  your  ozvn  Church  and  for  your  own 
Church  before  you  attempt  outside  activity. 

It  is  not  a  good  sign  to  see  a  man  who  is  indo- 
lent at  home  wanting  to  be  diligent  abroad.  The 
man  who  is  not  willing  to  toil  in  his  own  Church 
vineyard  is  hardly  fit  to  work  beyond  it.  A  worker 
away  from  home  is  all  the  better  for  standing  well 
at  home,  and   men  are  suspicious  of  him  who  is 


Words  for  all  Workers.  173 

worthless  in  his  own  Church  but  wants  to  be  con- 
spicuous in  wider  movements.  A  person  who  is 
constantly  running  away  from  his  own  Church  never 
amounts  to  much  anywhere  as  a  worker. 

Dr.  Hadyn  has  justly  said:  "  It  is  not  well  that 
any  man  should  be  known  as  a  Christian  worker 
solely  outside  his  Church  relations.  Let  him  first 
make  his  power  felt  at  home ;  then,  when  he  goes 
forth,  he  takes  the  sympathies  and  prayers  of  his 
Church  with  him. 

"  Any  body  not  known  in  his  Church  as  a  worker 
is  a  man,  with  rare  exceptions,  never  to  be  indorsed 
for  any  outside  work  whatever.  Let  him  first  exer- 
cise his  gifts  at  home,  and  prove  himself  possessed 
of  a  right  spirit  and  of  good  common  "sense ;  then 
bid  him  Godspeed  into  the  wider  world,  if  God 
wants  him  and  men  will  receive  him.  And  when  it 
is  thought  that  in  the  sphere  of  the  local  Church 
the  great  majority  of  disciples  are  to  do  their  work 
for  their  Master,  the  emphasis  to  be  laid  upon  it, 
covering  its  dignity,  its  worth,  and  its  importance, 
cannot  well  be  exaggerated." 

Do  what  you   can   in  your  own   Church — there 


174      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

give  your  toil  and  get  your  training,  and  after 
awhile  you  may  properly  and  successfully  enter 
broader  fields  as  the  indications  of  Providence  may 
direct.  Mr.  Moody  was  active  in  his  own  Church 
before  he  became  a  great  influence  in  the  broader 
spheres  of  two  continents.  His  local  work  at  home 
prepared  him  for  that  which  was  more  conspicuous 
and  far-reaching. 

Begin  humbly;  let  not  your  aspirations  be  too  lofty  ; 
be  willing  to  do  yonr  duty  in  obscurity. 

You  cannot  hope  to  attain  perfection  instantly. 
Your  first  address  will  not  be  one  of  finished  elo- 
quence, and  it  need  not  be.  You  must  be  willing 
to  begin  low  and  to  gradually  ascend.  You  must 
be  content  to  grow  as  the  child  does  into  the  man. 

"  It  is  a  thing  to  be  deplored  when  a  prevailing 
impression  is  abroad  that  lay-work  is  nothing  if  it 
be  not  occupied  in  calling  conventions,  holding 
public  meetings,  and  addressing  assemblies.  The 
world  is  not  perishing  for  this  above  all  things,  but 
it  is  greatly  burdened  that  so  few  are  willing  to 
take  up  a  quiet,  unobtrusive,  unostentatious  work 
in   the   boarding-houses,   among    the    poor,   in    the 


Words  for  all  Workers.  175 

shops,  among  the  homeless  young  men  and  women 
of  village  and  city,  in  the  lanes  and  by-ways,  ex- 
tending a  warm  greeting  to  the  stranger,  looking 
after  him,  drawing  him  from  the  theaters  and  sa- 
loons by  personal  acquaintance  and  influence. 

"  A  man  happy  and  successful  in  obscure  and 
quiet  paths  is  almost  certain  to  be  sound  in  the 
faith,  with  a  power  within  that  will  bear  sending 
out  into  the  larger  world.  While  a  man  with  an 
itch  for  publicity,  and  unwilling  to  do  any  thing 
except  in  a  public  way,  is  much  more  likely  to  be 
mistaken  as  to  the  grounds  of  his  personal  faith  and 
hope,  and  to  be  lifted  up  himself  rather  than  to  be 
found  knowing  only  Christ  and  him  crucified. 

"  It  should  rejoice  the  heart  of  every  worker  in 
the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  that  there  are  very  many 
busy  in  doing  good  of  whom  mention  will  never  be 
made  till  the  judgment.  They  tread  such  quiet 
unnoticed  paths,  they  so  shrink  from  observation, 
that  but  few  are  really  aware  of  the  breadth  and 
result  of  their  endeavor. 

"  Such  is  the  unobtrusive  visiting  of  families, 
opening  the   Scriptures,   at   fitting  times  kneeling 


176      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

with  them  in  prayer,  leaving  a  quickening  word,  a 
wholesome  book,  counseling  to  habits  of  sobriety, 
and  being  the  good  Samaritan,  in  Christ's  name,  to 
families,  youth,  and  children,  who  else  would  be 
habitually  and  only  under  the  tuition  of  the  evil 
one  and  his  emissaries. 

"  Such  is  the  word  dropped  by  the  way-side,  the 
note  indicative  of  fraternal  interest  or  deep  solici- 
tude, the  way-side  conversation,  the  invitation  to 
the  home-circle,  thus  to  fasten  a  cord  around  a 
heart,  which  thereby  may  be  led  to  Christ. 

"  I  lay  stress  upon  this  unheralded  service  with 
individuals  and  families,  in  humble  cottages,  board- 
ing-houses and  shops,  in  prisons,  hospitals,  poor- 
houses  and  schools  of  reform,  for  several  reasons. 

"  Here  is  found  one  of  the  best  spheres  for  the 
culture  of  a  genuine,  earnest,  well-balanced  piety. 
The  best  motives  are  called  into  exercise.  It  is  a 
work  which  will  foster  a  love  for  Christ  and  a  sense 
of  his  nearness.  Indeed,  it  is  not  likely  to  be  car- 
ried on  at  all  except  under  the  impulse  of  love  to 
Christ,  and  a  passion  for  the  salvation  of  men." — 
Dr.  Hadyn. 


Words  for  all  Workers.  177 

The  most  of  Church  work  is  humble  work,  and 
the  Church  greatly  needs  those  who  are  willing  to 
do  little  things  which  lie  within  their  power.  He 
who  is  unwilling  to  do  the  little  is  unprepared  to  do 
the  great.  He  who  faithfully  does  the  little  is  pre- 
paring to  do  that  which  is  grander. 

We  say  little  and  great,  but  these  are  only  so  in 

man's  way  of  reckoning.     No  good  deed  is  small  in 

the  estimation  of  the  great  Judge.     "  Jesus  sat  over 

against  the  treasury,  and  beheld  how  the   people 

cast  money  into  the  treasury :  and  many  that  were 

rich  cast  in  much.     And  there  carne  a  certain  poor 

widow,  and  she  threw  in  two  mites,  which  make  a 

farthing.    And  he  called  unto  him  his  disciples,  and 

saith  unto  them,  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  That  this 

poor  widow  hath  cast  more  in  than  all  they  which 

have  cast  into  the  treasury:  for  all  they  did  cast  in 

of  their  abundance  ;  but  she  of  her  want  did  cast  in 

all  that  she  had,  even  all  her  living."     So  humble 

deeds,  if  they  be  all,  and  the  best,  we  can  do,  will 

not  be  lightly  esteemed  by  the  Lord,  before  whom 

we  must  stand  to  give  account  for  the  deeds  done 

in  the  body. 
12 


178      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

That  you  may  cheerfully  work  in  obscure  places, 
cultivate  the  spirit  of  humility. 

"  Let  no  man  think  more  highly  of  himself  than 
he  ought."  Nothing  prevents  progress  so  much  as 
pride  and  self-conceit.  Confidence,  which  is  the  re- 
sult of  experience,  however,  is  a  very  different  thing. 

If  you  would  succeed,  be  willing  to  risk  failure. 
You  have  not  tested  your  powers.  You  dread  the 
effort.  Your  first  attempts  may  be  failures.  Be 
willing  to  pass  through  the  ordeal.  Some  of  the 
greatest  orators  at  first  broke  completely  down 
before  they  had  spoken  a  half  dozen  sentences. 
So  do  not  be  astonished  if  your  first  lesson  before 
a  Sunday-school  class,  or  your  first  prayer  in  the 
public  prayer-meeting,  or  your  first  address,  should 
fall  below  your  expectation.  From  the  fire  comes 
the  pure  gold.  The  child  first  creeps,  then  walks, 
stumbles  it  may  be,  but  after  awhile  stands  firmly 
and  walks  securely ;  first  stammers  and  then  talks. 
Take  your  risk,  and  you  will  have  your  reward. 

Be  teachable,  and  hearken  to  hints  no  matter 
from  whom  they  come. 

Closely  observe  how  the  best  workers  act,  and  learn 


Words  for  all  Workers.  179 

from  them  how  you  should  work,  and  how  you 
may  improve  your  methods.  Do  not  imitate  so 
as  to  lose  your  individuality,  but  copy  that  which 
will  destroy  your  defects  and  round  out  your  char- 
acter as  a  worker.  Learn  from  all,  but  be  a  second 
edition  of  no  man.  As  the  art  student  learns  from 
seeing  his  master's  work,  so  attention  to  the  meth- 
ods of  master-workers  in  Christian  activities  will 
help  you  become  "  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to 
be  ashamed." 

You  must  be  students  as  well  as  teachers.  It  is 
not  well  to  work  all  the  time — to  be  active  but 
never  to  study.  There  must  be  time  for  consider- 
ation, meditation,  and  investigation. 

Study  God's  plan  of  salvation,  not  only  that  you 
may  understand  for  yourself,  but  that  you  may  be 
able  to  clearly  explain  it  to  others.  Be  prepared 
to  fully  answer  the  inquirer's  question,  "  What  must 
I  do  to  be  saved  ?  "  It  is  not  enough  to  answer  by 
certain  familiar  and  frequently  figurative  expres- 
sions. You  must  be  able  to  explain  the  figure,  and 
enter  into  the  inner  meaning.  You  say,  "  Come  to 
Jesus,"  but  what  is  it  to  come  to  Jesus  ?     How  shall 


i8o      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

the  sinner  come  to  Christ  ?  You  say,  Repent ;  but 
can  you  explain  to  the  one  who  seeks  for  light  what 
it  is  to  repent  ?  You  say,  "  Believe  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ ;  "  but  can  you  give  a  simple  and  intel- 
ligent explanation  of  faith  in  Jesus  ?  So  there  are 
many  other  points  which  should  be  carefully  thought 
out.  Then,  too,  you  should  study  what  motives 
and  appeals  you  may  legitimately  present  to  cause 
persons  to  reflect  and  consider  their  sinful  condi- 
tion, to  repent  and  turn  to  the  Lord. 

Study  the  Bible.  Other  books  may  be  good,  but 
the  Bible  is  the  Book  of  books.  The  word  of  God 
is  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  with  which  you  must  con- 
quer. It  contains  revelations  of  sin  and  of  salva- 
tion. It  is  full  of  facts  and  arguments,  of  warnings 
and  appeals,  of  invitations  and  promises.  He  who 
is  familiar  with  the  Bible  will  be  at  no  loss  for  ma- 
terial for  prayer,  conversation,  or  formal  address. 
Neither  will  he  lack  for  variety  ;  and  his  statements 
will  always  have  the  weight  of  authority,  for  they 
will  be  based  on  God's  word.  He  who  is  forever 
ringing  the  changes  on  his  own  conversion  and  his 
personal  experience,  without  presenting  the  word,  is 


Words  for  all  Workers.  1 8 1 

in  danger  of  becoming  stereotyped  and  uninterest- 
ing. A  statement  of  so-called  experience,  or  of 
genuine  experience,  cannot  be  a  substitute  for  the 
Scriptures,  for  that  would  be  making  man's  word 
supersede  God's  word.  The  Bible  is  so  full  of  inci- 
dents that  they  will  illuminate  every  religious  topic, 
and  he  who  uses  them  will  always  be  fresh  and  in- 
teresting. The  Bible  is  the  text-book  of  the  Chris- 
tian worker,  and  a  storehouse  of  information  and 
illustration. 

But  study  the  Bible  with  as  much  care,  at  least, 
as  you  would  other  books,  that  you  may  not  indulge 
in  the  fanciful  interpretations  which  some  so-called 
"  Bible  readers  "  give  to  the  sacred  word.  Be  ready 
to  give  a  reason  for  the  hope  that  is  within  you. 
Be  prepared  to  give  an  intelligent  statement  of  your 
grounds  of  confidence  in  the  Bible  as  the  word  of 
God.  With  all  that  is  implied  in  these  remarks 
you  will  be  well  furnished  for  Christian  work. 

Study  works  that  throw  light  upon  the  Bible. 
Have  a  good  Concordance,  that  you  may  readily 
turn  to  particular  passages  ;  a  good  Bible  Diction- 
ary, that  you  may  have  at  hand  explanations  of  cus- 


182      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

toms  and  other  matters  which  the  biblical  student 
should  know;  and  consult  a  good  Commentary,  that 
you  may  have  the  advantage  of  the  investigation 
of  profound  scholars.  There  are  many  other  books 
which  will  be  of  great  service,  among  which  are 
standard  religious  biographies. 

Study  human  nature.  You  must  deal  with  human 
beings,  and  you  must  understand  human  nature. 
Somebody  has  said,  "  There  is  a  great  deal  of  hu- 
man nature  in  man."  So  there  is,  but  it  shows  it- 
self differently  in  different  men,  and  the  differences 
in  men  are  not  to  be  studied  in  books,  but  in  men 
themselves.  Dr.  Haydn,  from  whom  we  have  be- 
fore quoted,  says : 

"  Learn  to  read  them,  that  you  may  know  how  to 
approach  them — how  not  to  '  rub  the  wrong  way' 
— how  not  to  be  captious  with  men — how  to  give 
them  the  line  and  let  them  have  their  own  way 
within  certain  reasonable  limits — how  to  let  them 
think  their  opinions,  on  many  things,  all  they  fancy 
them,  when  no  harm  can  come  of  them — how  to  si- 
lence an  opposer  without  controversy — how  to  tell 
when  a  man  is  talking  for  effect,  to  cover  up  a  guilty 


Words  for  all  Workers.  183 

conscience  —  how   to    respect    honest    doubt    and 
help  it." 

Acquire  tact.  This  comes  just  after  the  study  of 
human  nature.  Understand  the  man,  and  then 
know  how  to  take  advantage  of  circumstances  to 
influence  him  for  his  own  good.  Many  avenues 
lead  to  the  heart  ;  therefore  acquire  skill  in  ap- 
proaching through  the  right  one.  What  will  influ- 
ence one  man  will  have  no  effect  upon  another ; 
what  would  influence  a  man  yesterday  may  not 
move  him  to-day ;  and  so  you  need  to  govern 
yourself  accordingly.  Carelessness  may  neutralize 
your  well-intended  efforts,  and  hence  you  must 
learn  when  is  the  favorable  moment,  what  to  say, 
when  to  stop,  and  when  to  renew. 

Such  tact,  which  comes  by  observation  and  expe- 
rience, is  trained  common  sense.  Without  com- 
mon sense  a  worker  will  be  a  failure. 

In  all  your  work  let  there  be  forgetfiilness  of 
self.  Pride  and  egotism  should  be  discarded.  You 
work  not  for  your  own  honor,  but  for  that  of  the 
Master.  Remember  Christ's  injunction,  ''Let  your 
light  so  shine  before  men   that  others  seeing  your 


1 84      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

good  works  may  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in 
heaven." 

Be  earnest  and  enthusiastic.  Earnest  men  are  al- 
ways impressive,  but  it  must  not  be  merely  a  sur- 
face earnestness,  but  that  which  flows  from  the 
depths  of  the  soul.  People  soon  detect  the  spu- 
rious kind.  The  enthusiastic — those  who  are  full 
of  their  work — are  those  who  accomplish  much. 
Have  a  burning  zeal  which  comes  from  a  head  and 
heart  on  fire,  and  obstacles  will  melt  away.  "  What- 
soever thy  hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy 
might." 

Finally,  work  patiently.  Remember  the  injunc- 
tion, "  Let  us  not  be  weary  in  well-doing :  for  in 
due  season  we  shall  reap,  if  we  faint  not."  If  the 
Master  says,  "  Go  work  to-day  in  my  vineyard," 
there  is  also  the  assurance  that  '*  He  that  goeth 
forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  precious  seed,  shall 
doubtless  come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his 
sheaves  with  him." 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  185 


CHAPTER  XX. 

MR.    MOODY   AN   ILLUSTRATION. 

/^NE  of  the  best  illustrations  of  many  of  the 
principles  which  have  been  presented  in  the 
foregoing  pages  is  the  case  of  Mr.  Dwight  L. 
Moody,  whose  success  as  a  revivalist  has  been  so 
great.  What  he  has  been  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  is  now,  is  well  known  on  both  sides  of  the  At- 
lantic ;  indeed,  his  reputation  may  be  said  to  extend 
to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  We  now  see  him  a  pow- 
erful preacher  and  an  efficient  evangelist,  whose 
work  has  been  greatly  blessed  in  the  Old  as  well  as 
in  the  New  World — a  man  who  has  addressed  the 
largest  audiences  drawn  to  hear  any  minister  of 
Christ  in  this  generation,  for  whom  ordinary  churches 
were  too  small,  and  for  whom  great  tabernacles,  ca- 
pable of  holding  more  than  ten  thousand  hearers, 
were  erected — one  who  has  been  gladly  heard  by 
the  poor  and  just  as  eagerly  by  the  rich,  who  drew 
the  peasant  and  the  noble,  and  who  has  been  list- 


1 86      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

ened  to  with  delight  by  the  learned  professor  as 
well  as  by  the  illiterate  laborer. 

This  most  popular  and  useful  man  stands  before 
the  world  as  one  of  the  wonders  of  the  day  on  ac- 
count of  his  success  in  winning  souls  to  Christ. 
Naturally,  we  ask,  Who  is  he  ?  and  what  advantages 
has  he  had  to  make  him  so  successful  as  a  Christian 
worker  ? 

Running  back  to  the  beginning  of  his  career,  we 
perceive  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  more 
unpromising  case  than  his,  and  that  he  furnishes 
one  of  the  finest  illustrations  of  the  possibilities 
of  imperfect  human  nature  which  has  had  but  very 
defective  early  culture. 

We  go  back  to  his  start  in  life.  He  was  a  poor 
boy.  Born  in  Northfield,  Mass.,  in  1837,  he  was 
the  sixth  of  a  family  of  nine  children.  When  he 
was  only  four  years  of  age  he  was  bereft  of  his 
father.  Though  very  poor,  the  mother  was  able  to 
keep  the  family  together  in  the  old  homestead, 
which  meant  a  little  house  with  an  acre  or  two  of 
mountain  land,  which  was  incumbered  with  a 
mortgage. 


Mr.  Moody  a?i  Illustration.  187 

During  the  summer  Dwight  worked  on  the  little 
mountain  farm,  and  his  only  opportunity  for  going 
to  school  was  in  the  winter.  In  consequence  of 
such  limited  advantages  he  was  very  poorly  edu- 
cated, not  even  receiving  a  good  foundation  for  fu- 
ture self-culture.  He  could  read  a  little  and  spell 
less  ;  while,  besides  a  slight  knowledge  of  the  sim- 
ple rules  of  arithmetic  and  a  peep  into  geography, 
he  had  learned  nothing  save  the  art  of  "  speaking 
pieces."  This  was  the  sum-total  of  his  acquire- 
ments when  he  left  the  winter  school  in  his  seven- 
teenth year,  and  started  out  in  the  world  to  earn  a 
living. 

He  went  to  Boston,  where  he  was  offered  a  place 
in  the  boot  and  shoe  store  of  his  mother's  brother, 
who  had  previously  aided  the  mother  in  holding 
her  humble  home. 

Fortunately  for  Dwight,  his  uncle  was  very  judi- 
cious, and,  knowing  the  temptations  of  city  life,  he 
only  gave  the  position  upon  three  conditions :  first, 
that  he  should  select  Dwight's  boarding-place  in  a 
Christian  family  ;  second,  that  the  lad  should  not 
go  at  night  to  any  place  the  uncle  did  not  approve  ; 


1 88      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

and  third,  that  he  should  regularly  attend  the  Mount 
Vernon  Congregational  Church.  These  conditions 
the  boy  accepted,  and  he  was  duly  installed  in  his 
place. 

We  have  now  this  ignorant  country  boy  moving 
in  the  rush  of  a  great  city.  He  was  not  naturally 
more  religious  than  the  average  boy.  He  was  pro- 
fane and  terribly  passionate,  and  cared  little  for  re- 
ligious services,  but  he  went  to  church,  according 
to  his  agreement.  He  has  since  said  :  "  When  I 
first  went  to  Boston  my  employers  made  me  go  to 
church.  I  used  to  go  and  sit  in  the  gallery;  and 
very  often  fell  asleep.  One  day,  while  I  was  having 
a  nap  under  the  sermon,  I  felt  somebody  poking  me 
in  the  ribs,  and  when  I  looked  up  there  was  orte  of 
the  deacons  who  had  come  to  wake  me,  and  was 
pointing  with  his  finger  at  the  minister,  as  much  as 
to  say,  '  Attend  to  the  preaching  ! '  I  felt  as  if  ev- 
ery body  in  the  church  was  looking  at  me  ;  but  I 
didn't  know  what  else  to  do  unless  I  gave  attention 
to  the  sermon,  so  I  began  to  listen  to  Dr.  Kirk,  and, 
for  the  first  time  in  my  life,  felt  as  if  he  were  preach- 
ing altogether  at  me." 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  189 

The  good  deacon  had  no  idea  of  the  man  who 
was  in  the  slumbering  boy ;  but  sleeping  boys 
sometimes  make  wide-awake  men,  and  it  is  better 
that  one  should  sleep  in  church  than  not  come  at  all. 

The  sermon  made  him  exceedingly  uneasy,  for  it 
so  fitted  his  case  that  he  thought  some  one  had  in- 
formed the  minister  about  him,  an  effect  often  no- 
ticed under  the  plain  preaching  of  the  Gospel  when 
the  minister  has  no  knowledge  whatever  of  the 
hearer.  Conscience  often  makes  the  soul  see  itself 
in  the  gospel  mirror. 

At  first  he  was  so  annoyed  that  he  resolved  not 
to  go  again,  but,  remembering  his  promise  to  his 
uncle,  he  continued  to  attend,  and  the  serious  im- 
pression was  deepened. 

He  also  joined  the  Sunday-school,  but  cared  little 
for  either  church  or  school.  One  might  have  been 
excused  for  thinking  him  a  not  very  hopeful  sub- 
ject, and  his  own  Sunday-school  teacher  considered 
him  a  very  unpromising  pupil ;  and  certainly  the 
outcome  of  his  case  should  be  a  great  encourage- 
ment for  teachers,  and  help  them  to  have  greater 
patience  with  their  dull  and  indifferent  scholars. 


190      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

The  first  encouragement  the  teacher  received,  and 
the  first  gleam  of  interest  manifested  by  the  boy, 
was  Dwight  saying,  "  That  Moses  was  what  you 
would  call  a  pretty  smart  sort  of  a  man,  wasn't  he  ?  " 
A  rude  and  ignorant  question,  one  might  have  said, 
but,  coming  from  that  boy,  the  teacher  was  encour- 
aged to  answer  him  in  such  a  way  that  he  awakened 
interest  on  the  part  of  the  scholar  and  gained  his 
confidence. 

The  teacher,  seeing  his  opportunity,  soon  after 
visited  him  and  asked  him  if  he  would  not  like  to 
become  a  Christian.  Dwight  thought  he  would, 
and  though  he  had  a  very  indifferent  knowledge  of 
the  way  of  life,  he  began  to  make  an  effort.  There 
was  a  change  in  his  conduct,  but  no  sudden  and 
complete  transformation.  He  began,  however,  in 
his  humble  way  to  seek  the  Saviour,  and  soon  after 
he  was  converted.  What  an  encouragement  to  the 
Sunday-school  worker  if  such  a  rough  pebble  could 
turn  out  such  a  precious  stone  ! 

Dwight  was  now  seventeen  years  of  age,  and,  de- 
siring to  make  a  public  profession  of  his  faith,  he 
applied   for   admission   into   the  Church  ;    but   the 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  191 

committee  who  considered  his  application  found 
him  so  unable  to  give  a  satisfactory  reason  for  the 
hope  that  was  in  him,  and  so  unacquainted  with 
the  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity,  that  they 
recommended  him  to  delay  a  public  profession  un- 
til he  became  more  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
teachings  of  the  New  Testament. 

Mr.  Moody,  speaking  of  this,  says  :  "  When  I  first 
became  a  Christian  I  tried  to  join  the  Church,  but 
they  wouldn't  have  me,  because  they  didn't  believe 
I  was  really  converted." 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  watch  over  him 
and  help  him,  and,  after  a  probation  of  six  months 
or  more,  he  again  presented  himself  for  admission, 
and  was  received  into  the  communion  of  the 
Church. 

He  was  now  a  youth  of  eighteen,  and  he  very 
soon  showed  himself  a  willing  worker.  He  began 
early  to  speak  for  Jesus  in  the  prayer-meetings  of 
the  Church  and  in  some  little  mission  meetings  in 
another  place. 

But  so  crude  were  his  thoughts,  and  so  ungram- 
matical  were  his  expressions,  that  on  the  first  occa- 


192      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

sion  when  the  meeting  was  over  the  pastor  took 
him  aside  and  advised  him  to  cease  speaking  in  the 
meetings,  and  to  serve  God  in  some  other  way.  Other 
rebukes  of  a  similar  nature  came  from  many  of  the 
well-meaning  people  of  the  Church,  who  could  not 
appreciate  the  zealous  young  convert's  efforts  to 
help  his  neighbors  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
They  even  called  upon  Dwight's  uncle,  and  asked 
him  to  request  the  youth  to  hold  his  peace  ;  but 
this  he  declined  to  do,  replying  that  he  was  glad 
that  Dwight  had  grace  and  courage  to  profess  his 
faith  in  Christ. 

Here  came  out  some  of  his  strong  characteristics. 
He  was  courageous  and  persevering,  and,  nothing 
daunted,  he  continued  to  attend  the  prayer-meet- 
ings and  to  make  brief  remarks.  He  had  commit- 
ted himself  as  a  young  worker  in  the  Church,  and 
his  piety  and  pluck  held  him  true  to  his  purpose. 

Years  after,  an  old  member  of  the  same  Church, 
finding  Mr.  Moody  famous  as  a  Christian  worker  in 
the  West,  spoke  disparagingly  of  the  religious  con- 
dition of  that  section  for  allowing  him  such  promi- 
nence,  for,  he  said,  "  When  we  had   him   in    our 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  193 

Church,  we  wouldn't  let  him  speak  in  our  prayer- 
meetings." 

The  pastor  of  the  same  Chifrch,  however,  took  a 
different  view  of  the  matter  when  he  saw  the  work 
Mr.  Moody  was  doing  in  Chicago.  When  he  came 
back  to  Boston  he  called  on  Moody's  uncle  and 
said  :  "  I  told  our  people  last  night  that  we  ought 
to  be  ashamed  of  ourselves.  There  is  that  young 
Moody,  who  we  thought  did  not  know  enough  to 
be  in  our  Church,  exerting  a  greater  influence  for 
Christ  than  any  other  man  in  the  great  North-west." 

If  young  Moody  had  taken  the  bad  advice  that 
was  given  him  by  good  people,  the  world  never 
would  have  heard  of  him  ;  but  he  went  on  doing 
what  he  believed  to  be  his  duty,  and  to-day  the 
world  honors  his  name. 

About  a  year  after  his  conversion,  the  boy  of 
nineteen  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  obtained  a  sit- 
uation in  a  shoe-store,  though  his  employer  had 
misgivings  on  account  of  Dwight's  blunt  speech  and 
impetuous  manner,  the  very  elements  which,  with 
subsequent   training,   became    powerful    forces    for 

good. 
13 


194      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

Several  of  the  clerks  lodged  in  the  store,  and, 
after  the  hour  of  closing,  would  turn  the  room  into 
a  debating  hall  for  the  discussion  of  various  sub- 
jects, especially  theology,  and,  doubtless,  these  dis- 
cussions in  that  impromptu  literary  society  greatly 
aided  young  Moody  in  his  subsequent  efforts  as  a 
speaker. 

His  impetuous  earnestness  for  the  cause  of  relig- 
ion soon  showed  itself.  It  is  said  that,  returning  to 
the  store  one  night  after  he  had  been  at  a  prayer- 
meeting,  he  found  two  of  the  boys  playing  a  game, 
when,  instantly  dashing  the  pieces  on  the  floor,  and 
before  a  word  could  be  spoken,  he  dropped  on  his 
knees  and  began  to  pray.  His  method  was  faulty, 
but  his  earnestness  is  to  be  commended. 

Joining  a  Congregational  Church,  he  attended 
the  prayer-meeting,  exhorted  and  prayed,  notwith- 
standing, as  in  Boston,  some  of  the  good  people 
tried  to  dissuade  him,  and  urged  him  to  leave  the 
exhorting  and  praying  to  those  who  knew  how  to 
exhort  and  pray.  His  religion  showed  itself,  how- 
ever, in  more  than  talk,  for  he  rented  four  pews 
and  kept  them  full  of  young  men  every  Sunday. 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  195 

After  a  time  he  began  to  attend  a  Methodist 
class-meeting.  Finding  in  this  Church  a  people  to 
him  more  congenial  and  sympathetic,  he  joined  a 
band  of  young  men  who  went  around  on  Sabbath 
mornings  to  hotels,  saloons,  etc.,  distributing 
tracts,  and  inviting  people  to  attend  the  services 
of  the  Church,  and  it  is  said  that  it  was  not  an 
uncommon  circumstance  to  see  this  young  Congre- 
gationalist  standing  in  front  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  at  a  time  when  there  was  no  service  in  his 
own,  giving  out  printed  and  verbal  invitations  to 
the  passers-by  to  come  in  to  the  services. 

Thus  he  began  to  show  that  catholicity  of  spirit 
which  has  been  such  a  great  power  in  his  evangel- 
istic efforts,  and  here  he  began  his  habit  of  giving 
personal  invitations  to  strangers  and  others  to  at- 
tend divine  worship. 

On  one  of  his  tract-distributing  tours  he  discov- 
ered a  little  mission  Sunday-school,  and  this  illit- 
erate youth  of  nineteen,  who  could  scarcely  read  a 
chapter  through,  offered  himself  as  a  teacher.  Poor 
material,  one  might  say,  but  those  he  proposed  to 
teach  knew   even  less  than   he  did  himself.     The 


196      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

superintendent  informed  him  that  he  had  already 
twelve  teachers  and  only  sixteen  scholars — nearly 
as  many  teachers  as  scholars ;  but  said  that  if  he 
would  go  out  and  gather  a  class  he  would  permit 
him  to  teach  it.  So  out  he  went  and  tried  his 
favorite  method  of  personal  solicitation,  and  the 
next  Sunday  young  Moody  entered  the  school,  fol- 
lowed by  eighteen  rough  and  ragged  urchins. 

Feeling,  however,  that  he  was  not  so  well  quali- 
fied for  the  position  of  teacher  as  for  recruiting 
officer,  he  placed  his  class  under  the  care  of  an- 
other who  was  more  competent,  and  went  out  into 
the  streets  to  seek  more  scholars,  and  brought  in 
fresh  supplies  until  the  school  was  filled. 

When  it  was  full  it  occurred  to  him  that  he 
might  organize  a  school  of  his  own.  So,  finding  a 
deserted  saloon  among  the  very  poor  and  de- 
graded, he  rented  it,  and  began  his  new  enterprise. 
During  the  week  and  on  Sunday  he  would  go  out 
and  become  acquainted  with  the  young  people,  and 
actually  coax  them  to  come  to  his  school.  After 
awhile  the  saloon  was  not  large  enough  to  hold  the 
scholars,  and   the  school  was  removed  to   a  large 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  197 

hall,  which  was  generally  used  on  Saturday  night 
for  dancing,  so  that  it  took  most  of  Sunday 
morning  to  sweep  out  the  sawdust  and  wash  out 
the  stains  of  tobacco  and  beer.  For  sometime 
there  were  no  chairs  or  benches,  so  that  the  scholars 
were  compelled  to  stand,  or  else  sit  on  the  floor. 
But  Moody's  executive  ability  began  to  show  itself, 
and  he.  proved  himself  equal  to  the  emergency. 
Resolving  himself  into  a  committee  of  finance,  he 
went  here  and  there  and  raised  the  needed  funds, 
and  his  power  as  an  organizer  gradually  grew  with 
the  demand  until  he  reduced  the  rude  rabble  in  his 
school  to  some  kind  of  order. 

In  three  months  the  school  numbered  two  hun- 
dred, in  six  months  three  hundred  and  fifty,  and 
within  a  year  the  average  attendance  was  between 
six  and  seven  hundred,  with  occasionally  a  crowd 
of  nearly  one  thousand. 

Young  Moody's  methods  are  worth  studying. 
He  did  not  open  his  school  and  wait  for  scholars  to 
come.  He  obeyed  Christ's  command  to  "  Go." 
He  followed  the  example  of  Jesus,  and  went  out 
"to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost." 


198       Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

He  was  a  marvelous  recruiting  sergeant.  He 
would  visit  house  after  house  and  hunt  up  scholars 
for  the  Sunday-school,  or,  walking  along  the  streets, 
would  invite  those  he  met  to  go  with  him  to 
Church  ;  and  he  has  been  known  to  go  out  before 
the  evening  service,  and  at  the  hour  of  service 
come  into  the  church,  followed  by  a  long  proces- 
sion of  young  men,  whom  he  had  found,  and 
brought  with  him  on  an  errand  which,  to  them, 
was  evidently  something  new. 

Moody,  usually  accompanied  by  his  friend,  Still- 
son,  spent  every  evening,  from  the  close  of  business 
until  ten  or  eleven  o'clock,  hunting  up  scholars  one 
by  one,  and  on  Sunday  they  would  make  a  grand 
excursion,  and  generally  bring  in  a  dozen  or  so  of 
those  they  had  found. 

Sometimes  his  visits  were  attended  with  danger 
of  personal  violence,  and  sometimes  he  was  actually 
molested  by  the  vicious  people  with  whom  he  came 
in  contact,  so  that  occasionally  he  was  obliged  to 
find  safety  in  flight,  and  then,  he  used  to  say,  his 
legs  were  his  best  friends. 

On   one   occasion   he   could   not   get   away   from 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  199 

three  ruffians,  who  threatened  to  kill  him,  and  he 
exclaimed,  "  Look  here,  give  a  fellow  a  chance  to 
say  his  prayers,  wont  you  ?  "  As  they  permitted 
him,  he  fell  on  his  knees,  and  prayed  so  earnestly 
for  his  persecutors,  that  they  quietly  slipped  away 
from  the  room,  and  he  conducted  the  children  he 
came  for  to  the  Sunday-school. 

He  says  of  himself:  "  For  a  long  time  I  used  to 
be  the  laughing-stock  of  this  community,  because  I 
used  to  stop  people  on  the  street  and  elsewhere 
and  talk  to  them  about  their  souls ;  but  that  was 
the  school  in  which  I  learned  to  preach  the  Gospel. 
It  was  my  rule  to  speak  to  some  one  every  day. 
One  night  as  I  was  going  home,  when  I  got  as  far 
as  the  corner  of  Clark  and  Lake  streets,  I  remem- 
bered that  I  hadn't  spoken  to  any  unconverted 
man  that  day  about  his  soul.  But  just  then  I  hap- 
pened to  see  a  man  leaning  against  the  lamp-post, 
so  I  went  up  and  put  my  hand  on  his  shoulder, 
and  asked  him  if  he  loved  the  Lord.  He  was  very 
angry,  turned  round  and  cursed  me,  and  afterward 
went  to  a  friend  of  mine  and  said,  '  If  you  have 
any  influence  with   that  man   Moody,  I  wish  you 


2oo      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

would  tell  him  to  stop  his  impudence.  He  is 
doing  more  harm  than  any  ten  men  in  Chicago.' 
My  friend  came  and  tried  to  persuade  me  that  I 
was  doing  mischief  by  speaking  to  strangers  that 
way,  but  I  replied  that  God  hadn't  showed  it  to 
me  in  that  light,  and  that  until  he  did  I  should 
keep  right  on  as  before. 

"  Well,  a  little  while  after  that,  when  I  used  to 
live  up  in  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
rooms,  and  was  janitor,  and  sexton,  and  secretary, 
and  what-not,  very  early  one  morning  I  heard  a 
rap  at  my  door,  and,  as  soon  as  I  could  dress  me, 
I  opened  it,  and  there  stood  a  man  who  was  a  per- 
fect stranger. 

"  '  Don't  you  know  me  ?  '  he  asked.  '  I  am  the 
man  who  cursed  you  for  asking  him  about  his  soul 
down  there  at  the  corner  of  Clark  and  Lake  streets. 
I  haven't  had  a  minute's  peace  since,  and  now  I 
am  come  to  ask  you  to  pray  for  me.'  " 

This  is  the  way  to  gather  in  and  build  up  a 
Church.  A  half  dozen  earnest  and  thoroughly 
consecrated  souls,  who  will  go  out  and  invite  oth- 
ers to  come,  and  do  it  patiently  and  bravely,  will 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  201 

soon  greatly  enlarge  a  congregation,  quicken  the 
Church's  activity,  and  probably  see  a  revival  in 
which  many  will  be  saved. 

Some  time  after  he  began  his  Sunday-school  he 
established  week-night  prayer-meetings  in  the  old 
saloon,  and  thus  tried  to  bring  his  work  to  a  relig- 
ious focus,  and  in  that  rude  place,  with  seats  made 
out  of  rough  boards  placed  upon  empty  nail  kegs, 
and  lighted  by  a  few  candles,  many  darkened  souls 
felt  the  light  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  He  had  already 
learned  that  something  more  was  needed  than 
merely  the  intellectual  conception  of  truth,  the 
mere  learning  of  the  Word — that  it  must  have  a 
spiritual  application,  and  be  brought  down  from 
the  head  to  the  heart  ;  a  lesson  which  too  many 
Sunday-school  teachers  have  failed  to  learn,  and 
because  of  which  their  knowledge  and  intellectual 
skill  is  a  spiritual  failure. 

When  Moody  began  his  Sunday-school  he  was  a 
young  man  of  very  little  general  knowledge  and 
exceedingly  illiterate.  He  could  scarcely  read  a 
chapter  in  the  Bible  unless  it  was  composed  of 
short  and  simple  words  ;  but  he  began  to  be  more 


202      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

and  more  conscious  of  his  defective  education  and 
his  lack  of  accurate  scriptural  knowledge. 

He  had  read  here  and  there  in  the  Bible  because 
he  liked  it,  but  now  he  began  to  turn  his  reading 
into  study,  and  he  devoted  himself  to  the  study  of 
chapter  after  chapter,  spelling  out  the  difficult 
words,  and  skipping  the  ones  he  could  not 
master. 

An  old  friend  of  Mr.  Moody,  in  an  address  deliv- 
ered in  a  convention  in  Canada,  said  : 

"  The  first  time  I  ever  saw  him  was  at  a  meeting 
in  a  little  old  shanty  that  had  been  abandoned  by  a 
saloon  keeper.  Mr.  Moody  had  got  the  place  to 
hold  a  meeting  in  at  night.  I  went  there  a  little 
late,  and  the  first  thing  I  saw  was  a  man  standing 
with  a  few  tallow  candles  around  him,  holding  a 
negro  boy,  and  trying  to  read  to  him  the  story  of 
the  Prodigal  Son  ;  and  a  great  many  of  the  words 
he  could  not  make  out  and  had  to  skip.  I  thought, 
If  the  Lord  can  ever  use  such  an  instrument  as 
that  for  his  honor  and  glory  it  will  astonish  me. 

"  After  that  meeting  was  over  Mr.  Moody  said  to 
me :    '  Reynolds,    I   have   got   only  one   talent.      I 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  203 

have  no  education,  but  I  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  I  want  to  do  something  for  him  ;  and  I  want 
you  to  pray  for  me.'  I  have  never  ceased  from 
that  day  to  this,  morning  and  night,  to  pray 
for  that  devoted  Christian  soldier.  I  have  watched 
him,  have  had  counsel  with  him,  and  known  him 
thoroughly ;  and,  for  a  consistent  walk  and  con- 
versation, I  have  never  met  a  man  to  equal  him. 
It  astounds  me  when  I  look  back  and  see  what 
Mr.  Moody  was  thirteen  years  ago,  and  then  what 
he  is  under  God  to-day — shaking  Scotland  to  its 
very  center,  and  reaching  now  over  to  Ireland. 
The  last  time  I  heard  from  him  his  injunction  was, 
'  Pray  for  me  every  day ;  pray  now  that  God  will 
keep  me  humble.'  " 

This  statement  shows  not  only  the  illiteracy  of 
the  young  worker,  but  also  his  spirit  of  earnest  de- 
votion, which,  in  spite  of  his  other  deficiencies  has 
made  him  so  successful. 

Moody's  success  in  his  school  brought  him  invita- 
tions to  address  Sunday-school  conventions  in  vari- 
ous places,  and  his  hearers  were  greatly  influenced 
by  the  plain,  matter-of-fact  style  of  the  uncultured 


204      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

young  man,  impressed  by  his  hard  common  sense, 
and  aroused  by  his  enthusiasm. 

The  little  skill  he  had  acquired  in  recitations  in 
the  country  school  helped  him  in  these  efforts  to 
stand  before  an  audience  and  express  his  ideas  ;  but 
he  has  since  confessed  that  he  made  himself  unpop- 
ular in  those  gatherings  by  overmuch  pious  dis- 
course. He  says:  "I  suppose  they  used  to  think 
me  a  nuisance.  I  used  to  think  I  must  say  some- 
thing in  every  meeting  I  attended,  until  one  good 
minister  advised  me  to  hold  my  tongue." 

The  effect  of  this  blunt  counsel  did  not  cause  him 
to  lose  his  religion,  or  discourage  him  from  fur- 
ther effort,  as  it  might  have  done  in  the  case  of  a 
weaker  character,  but  set  him  to  thinking  how  he 
could  improve  his  speech  and  make  his  addresses 
more  acceptable.  He  was  full  of  faults,  and  he 
knew  he  was  faulty,  but  he  was  anxious  to  overcome 
them,  and  so  he  observed,  reflected,  and  corrected. 

One  of  his  friends  said,  "  Moody  was  all  the  time 
making  blunders,  but  he  never  made  the  same  mis- 
take twice."  Another  friend  said  to  him  one  day, 
"  Moody,  if  you  want  to  draw  wine  out  of  a  cask,  it 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  205 

is  needful  first  to  put  some  in.  You  are  all  the 
time  talking,  and  you  ought  to  begin  to  study." 

Moody  saw  the  force  of  the  remark,  and  con- 
sented to  enter  upon  a  course  of  reading;  but,  be- 
fore he  had  read  very  much,  his  friend  was  suddenly 
called  away  from  the  city,  and  Moody  never  became 
a  bookish  man. 

But  he  continued  a  close  student  of  the  Bible. 
Mr.  Stillson,  of  Chicago,  who  was  for  a  long  time 
his  counselor  and  helper,  declares  that  during  those 
years  he  does  not  know  of  Moody's  owning  any 
other  book  except  a  copy  of  the  New  Testament. 

For  a  time  he  drew  his  discourses  from  the  expe- 
riences of  Christians  and  the  affairs  of  every-day 
life,  but  he  grew  to  be  more  and  more  a  preacher  of 
the  Word,  and  the  more  he  depended  upon  and 
used  the  Scriptures  the  more  potent  he  became. 
He  was  led  to  this  change  of  method  by  a  remark 
which  Mr.  Harry  Morehouse,  the  English  Bible 
reader,  made  to  him.  Said  he :  "  Mr.  Moody,  you 
are  sailing  on  the  wrong  tack.  If  you  will  change 
your  course,  and  learn  to  preach  God's  word  instead 
of  your  own,  he'll  make  you  a  great  power  for  good." 


206      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

Mr.  Moody  responded  :  "  You  must  have  studied 
a  great  many  books  to  come  by  your  knowledge  of 
it ;"  to  which  Mr.  Morehouse  replied  :  "  No.  Since 
I  began  to  be  an  evangelist  I  have  been  a  man  of 
one  book.  If  a  text  of  Scripture  troubles  me,  I  ask 
another  text  to  explain  it ;  and  if  this  will  not  an- 
swer, I  carry  it  straight  to  the  Lord." 

This  conversation  had  a  great  effect  upon  Mr. 
Moody,  and  from  that  time  his  preaching  was  ob- 
served to  be  very  scriptural ;  one  said,  "  Brother 
Moody  used  to  preach  his  experience,  and  there 
wasn't  much  wheat  in  that ;  but  now  he  preaches 
the  word  of  God,  and  that  is  all  wheat."  He  made 
the  Bible  his  companion,  and  his  discourses  became 
rich  with  the  precious  truth  he  drew  from  God's 
word,  and  even  to  this  day  Mr.  Moody  knows  few 
other  books. 

His  case  shows  what  an  illiterate  youth  may 
become  with  but  few  books,  and  how  largely  Chris- 
tian workers  should  depend  upon  God's  word.  Yet 
there  is  little  doubt  that  he  read  in  a  desultory 
manner,  and  appropriated  whatever  thought  he 
could  use.     As  one  has  said,  "  He  reckoned  all  ser- 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  207 

mons  and  addresses  which  he  heard  and  read  as  so 
much  lawful  plunder,  and  of  this  he  made  no  secret. 
He  would  sometimes  say  to  a  minister,  "  I  heard 
you  preach  from  such  a  text  at  such  a  time,  and  I 
went  home  and  preached  that  sermon  to  my  peo- 
ple." But  the  author  himself  would  not  recognize 
his  production  in  Mr.  Moody's  version.  This 
method,  which  we  could  not  defend  in  the  case  of  a 
well-educated  man,  no  doubt  helped  to  train  him  in 
the  expression  and  arrangement  of  his  thoughts. 
Then,  as  he  moved  among  educated  people,  he 
gained  ideas  from  them,  and  a  sort  of  culture  from 
contact  with  culture,  so  that  at  last  he  has  become 
able  to  interest  intelligent  audiences  and  profit 
even  Scotch  professors. 

Another  of  Moody's  good  points  was  his  power 
to  get  others  to  work.  He  was  born  to  command. 
A  leader  among  boys,  he  became  a  leader  among 
men.  He  had  ability  to  discern  another's  fitness 
for  untried  work,  and  he  had  tact  to  get  him 
into  it. 

When  he  gathered  his  first  Sunday-school  class 
he  saw  that  another  was  better  fitted  for  teaching 


208      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

than  he  ;  so,  giving  him  the  class,  he  went  out  to 
bring  others  in,  a  work  for  which  he  was  better 
qualified. 

When  he  formed  his  Sunday-school  he  gath- 
ered around  him  an  earnest  band  of  workers,  but 
he  felt  that  something  more  was  needed.  Then 
he  remembered  Mr.  J.  V.  Farwell,  a  prominent  mer- 
chant, whom  he  used  to  meet  in  the  Sunday  morn- 
ing Methodist  class-meeting,  and,  knowing  his  qual- 
ities, he  determined  to  secure  him  as  superintend- 
ent. So  he  invited  him  to  visit  the  mission  school. 
Mr.  Farwell  came.  Such  a  school  he  had  never 
seen.  Before  him  was  a  wild  mass  of  rough  and 
restless  human  beings,  almost  every  minute  rush- 
ing into  confusion  and  crying  out  loudly,  as  though 
they  were  in  the  streets  or  on  a  playground,  from 
which  clamor  and  uproar  they  were  occasionally  res- 
cued by  a  Scripture  reading,  a  song,  or  a  speech. 

Mr.  Moody  introduced  Mr.  Farwell  to  deliver 
an  address.  Mr.  Farwell  responded  in  a  very  few 
words,  but  great  was  his  surprise,  at  its  close,  to 
hear  Mr.  Moody  nominate  him  as  superintendent, 
and,  before   there  was   time  to  object,  the   school 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  209 

elected   him  with  a  voice   like   the  sound  of  com-, 
bined  thunders. 

Another  instance  reveals  the  same  faculty.  One 
morning  Moody  observed  a  stranger  standing  on 
the  corner  near  his  church,  apparently  with  nothing 
to  do  and  nowhere  to  go.  He  went  up  to  him, 
and,  handing  him  a  number  of  papers,  said,  with 
a  pleasant  promptness,  "  Here,  take  this  pile  of 
papers,  stand  at  the  corner,  and  give  one  to  every 
body  that  passes  by."  The  stranger  could  not 
refuse,  but  did  as  directed,  and,  being  interested, 
joined  Moody's  Church,  and  became  a  most  effi- 
cient worker. 

It  is  not  only  what  Mr.  Moody  has  done  himself 

that  has  made  him  such  a  power,  but  also  what  he 

has  persuaded  others  to  do.     He  intuitively  knew 

himself,  and  experience  perfected  that  knowledge. 

He  knew  his  power,  and   thrust  himself  into  that 

for  which   he   was  best   fitted — where   his   greatest 

strength  lay.     He  did  all  he  could,  but  he  did  not 

expect  to  do  ail  himself,  so  he  called  others  into 

the  field.     In  this  ability  to  get  others  to  work — a 

talent  which  he  has  shown  very  conspicuously  of 
14 


210      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

late  years — do  we  find  one  of  the  best  features  of 
Mr.  Moody's  methods.  Not  only  should  we  work, 
but  we  should  encourage  others  to  work  also. 

Gradually  the  field  opened  before  him,  and  as  his 
experience  and  knowledge  increased,  opportunities 
multiplied.  The  way  opened  as  he  became  ready 
to  enter. 

His  missionary  labors  grew  upon  him,  so  that  at 
last  he  determined  to  give  up  his  long-cherished 
purpose  of  making  a  fortune,  and  to  devote  his  whole 
time  to  evangelical  work. 

A  friend  said,  "How  do  you  expect  to  live?" 
and  he  replied,  "  God  will  provide  if  he  wishes  me 
to  keep  on  ;  and  I  will  keep  on  till  I  am  obliged  to 
stop."  Money  that  he  had  saved  soon  disappeared, 
until  he  no  longer  had  money  to  pay  for  lodging, 
and  was  obliged  to  sleep  upon  the  benches  in  the 
hall  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  in  1861, 
he  extended  his  evangelistic  work  to  the  camps 
near  Chicago,  and  afterward  entered  the  service 
of  the  Christian  Commission,  and  visited  many  of 
the    encampments   and   battle-fields,    relieving  the 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  2 1 1 

wants  of  the  soldiers,  and  pointing  them  to  the 
Saviour. 

When  the  war  was  over,  he  went  back  to  his  local 
work  in  Chicago,  and  erected  a  chapel,  at  a  cost  of 
$20,000,  which  he  himself  collected. 

It  will  not  be  necessary  to  refer  to  his  work  in  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  further  than  to 
mention  the  fact  that  he  became  its  president. 

After  these  years  of  training  there  came  to  him  a 
call  from  England  to  come  over  and  carry  on  his 
evangelistic  work  in  the  Old  World.  He  accepted 
the  invitation,  and  made  his  arrangements  to  go; 
but,  up  to  within  an  hour  of  his  departure  from 
Chicago,  he  had  not  a  single  dollar  with  which  to 
defray  his  expenses.  His  faith  that  God  would 
take  care  of  him  when  he  was  in  the  line  of  duty 
was  well  nigh  unbounded,  and  he  prepared  for  the 
voyage  with  just  as  much  confidence  as  if  he  had  a 
well-filled  purse.  Just  at  this  moment  it  occurred 
to  Mr.  Farwell  that  Mr.  Moody  might  need  some 
money  after  he  reached  England,  and,  as  he  bade 
him  farewell,  he  placed  in  his  hand  a  check  for  five 
hundred  dollars,  and  so  his  need  was  supplied. 


212      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

His  wonderful  career  in  England,  Ireland,  and 
Scotland  is  now  a  matter  of  history.  Hundreds  of 
thousands  came  to  hear  him,  from  the  most  de- 
graded classes  and  the  humblest  peasants  up  to 
members  of  the  nobility,  so  that  he  literally  stood 
before  princes.  The  ignorant  flocked  to  hear  the 
truth  from  his  lips,  and,  though  unpolished  and  un- 
grammatical,  he  was  heard  just  as  gladly  by  learned 
professors  of  theology. 

We  cannot  sketch  his  great  success  on  that  side 
the  Atlantic,  or  in  the  great  cities  on  this  side,  and 
only  refer  to  it  to  call  to  mind  to  what  a  great 
height  of  usefulness  the  ignorant  boy  had  ascended, 
and  to  illustrate  the  possibilities  of  the  poorest  ma- 
terial in  our  Churches. 

It  remains  for  us  to  discover  some  of  the  charac- 
teristics of  this  celebrated  Christian  worker.  We 
mention  them  briefly. 

He  was  a  willing  worker;  he  sought  opportuni- 
ties. He  was  courageous;  he  dared  to  do  that 
which  was  difficult  and  to  face  opposition.  He  was 
earnest ;  he  threw  his  whole  soul  into  whatever  he 
undertook.      He    was    ready   to    do    the    humblest 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  213 

work  that  offered,  and  just  as  ready  to  attempt  the 
greatest  if  it  seemed  to  be  duty.  He  was  self-for- 
getful, thinking  more  of  the  work  than  of  himself. 
He  had  great  faith  in  God.  He  was  a  natural, 
straightforward  talker,  expressing  the  truth  plainly, 
but  pointedly.  He  was  studious,  and  tried  to  im- 
prove, though  he  was  not  a  student  of  many  books. 
He  drew  the  material  for  his  discourses  almost  en- 
tirely from  the  Bible.  Finally,  he  was  patient  and 
untiring,  and  held  on  even  when  defeat  seemed  be- 
fore him. 

There  are  many  other  points  which  we  might 
present,  were  we  desirous  of  doing  more  than  sim- 
ply to  show  what  the  humblest  may  accomplish  for 
Christ ;  but  we  omit  reference  to  them. 

His  history  is  a  great  encouragement  to  the 
young  Christian  who  thinks  himself  incompetent  to 
take  part  in  Church  work.  Let  it  be  remembered 
that  few  are  as  poorly  qualified  as  young  Moody 
was.  We  have  seen  how  illiterate  and  imperfect 
he  was  at  first,  but  how  he  gradually  improved  and 
grew  in  power,  and  so  his  example  is  an  encourage- 
ment to  the  most  ignorant  and  incompetent.     Let 


214      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

such  be  willing  to  do  what  they  can.  Let  them 
begin  where  they  are  able,  and  gradually  they  will 
acquire  ability  for  grander  work.  Let  them  be  stu- 
dious and  go  on  courageously,  earnestly,  and  pa- 
tiently, and  they  will  be  astonished  at  what  they 
will  be  enabled  to  accomplish.  Let  them  begin 
early  to  work  for  Christ,  and  with  such  an  example 
as  that  of  Moody  before  them,  let  them  never  be 
disheartened.     Mr.  Moody  himself  has  said  : 

"  Courage  is  necessary  to  success  in  Christian 
work.  I  have  yet  to  find  a  man  who  is  easily  dis- 
couraged that  amounts  to  any  thing  anywhere.  If 
a  minister  is  easily  discouraged  his  people  soon  find 
it  out,  and  lose  their  courage,  also.  If  a  Sunday- 
school  teacher  hasn't  any  courage,  his  class  find  it 
out  and  leave  him.  About  the  most  worthless  set 
of  people  you  can  find  is  a  lot  of  faint-hearted  Sun- 
day-school teachers.  If  we  are  to  have  any  success 
we  must  be  of  good  courage,  and  we  must  also 
meditate  upon,  and  believe  in,  and  obey,  the  word 
of  God.  God  hasn't  any  use  for  a  man  who  is  all 
the  time  looking  on  the  dark  side.  What  he  wants 
is  a  man  who  isn't  afraid.     '  Be  of  good  courage,' 


Mr.  Moody  an  Illustration.  215 

says  he,  '  fear  nothing;  believe  that  I  am  willing  to 
use  you,  and  then  I  will  use  you.'  " 

Let  every  Christian  learn  from  the  achievement 
of  the  poorly  qualified  Moody  what  a  willing  worker 
may  accomplish,  and  let  each  one  courageously  at- 
tempt and  patiently  continue. 

And  let  those  who  have  little  confidence  in  the 
possibilities  of  the  young  and  imperfect,  learn  to 
what  power  and  efficiency  such  may  develop,  and 
what  they  may  accomplish  in  spite  of  their  manifest 
imperfection.  With  the  example  of  a  blundering 
Moody,  who  blundered  into  success,  let  all  be  care- 
ful how  they  repress  young  beginners,  and  let  it 
teach  them  to  seek  and  call  out  every  possible  tal- 
ent for  the  service  of  God  ! 


2i6      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 


CHAPTER  XXL 

CONCLUSION. 

/^VUR  allotted  task  is  ended.  We  have  not  said 
all  that  could  have  been  said  on  the  subject, 
but  we  hope  we  have  said  enough  to  quicken  the 
interest  of  some  of  our  readers  in  steady  and  sys- 
tematic Church  work,  and,  through  them,  to  influ- 
ence others  who  may  never  hear  of  this  book. 

In  our  treatment  we  have  followed  a  very  simple 
and  direct  method,  being  anxious  to  make  the 
reader  think  of  the  subject  rather  than  of  the  writ- 
er ;  and,  not  wishing  to  speak  merely  from  our  own 
experience,  we  have  freely  strengthened  our  posi- 
tions by  credited  quotations  from  others  who  have 
spoken  or  written  on  this  or  kindred  themes. 

Our  main  object  has  been  to  answer  the  ques- 
tion, How  shall  we  employ  our  young  people  ?  A 
question  which  means,  What  shall  we  do  with  the 
mass  of  our  converts  ?  for  the  large  majority  of  our 
new  members  are  young  persons.     Hence,  neglect 


Conclusion.  217 

of  the  young  is  neglect  of  a  large  proportion  of 
the  Church,  while  caring  for  them  is  caring  for  the 
majority  of  the  present  Church,  and  all  of  the 
Church  of  the  next  few  years,  for  the  old  will  soon 
drop  off,  and  the  youth  of  to-day  will  take  their 
places. 

In  considering  this  special  theme  we  have  also,  to 
some  extent,  been  compelled  to  refer  to  matters 
which  belong  equally  to  the  older  generation,  so 
that  the  work  has  two  main  thoughts  :  first,  the 
training  of  the  young,  and,  secondly,  the  promotion 
of  general  Christian  activity. 

If  our  words  shall  awaken  greater  attention  to 
the  necessity  and  opportunity  for  more  general 
co-operation  in  Church  work,  and  shall  help  bring 
about  a  more  thorough  utilization  of  the  energy 
that  belongs  to  young  blood  and  young  brain,  we 
shall  feel  amply  rewarded  for  the  time  and  thought 
employed  in  the  preparation  of  this  book. 

When  the  Church  becomes  a  hive  of  busy  work- 
ers— when  all  work,  old,  middle-aged,  and  young 
— incalculable  results  will  follow ;  the  Church  will 
have    greater   temporal   prosperity,  greater    acces- 


218      Young  Workers  in  the  Church. 

sions,  steadier  and  more  symmetrical  growth,  great- 
er spirituality,  and  vastly  greater  influence  upon 
the  outer  world.  May  the  time  speedily  come 
when  the  Church  shall  call  into  action  the  energies 
of  all  classes,  and  especially  of  the  young,  so  that 
sanctified  energy  shall  be  directed  by  sanctified  ex- 
perience, for  then  only  will  the  grandest  achieve- 
ments be  possible,  probable,  and  certain  ! 


THE   END. 


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